By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State University, BSU, Centre for Food Technology and Research, CEFTER, has expressed the desire to continue shaping Africa’s food security landscape through innovation, community engagement, and academic excellence.
CEFTER is a project funded by the World Bank,over the years, to address post harvest management issues and carryout post graduate education aiming at excellence in Africa.
Speaking at the 3rd West and Central Africa Post-Harvest Congress and Exhibition on the Theme: Impact of African Centres of Excellence at Ten, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in post management held yesterday in Makurdi, Vice Chancellor of the university,Joe Iorapuu commended the Benue State Government, World Bank, AFD France, National Universities Commission,NUC, and Association of African Universities, AAU, for their support.
He acknowledged the contributions of former vice chancellors which he said had paved the way for the project to succeed, and the university intends to sustain CEFTER’s projects through alternative measures as the current project concludes.
Iorapuu reaffirmed the university’s commitment to excellence in higher education, research, and innovation, acknowledging that over 30 international students from 10 West and Central African countries have enrolled in CEFTER’s postgraduate programs, assuring other organizations willing to partner the institution to do so for the development of the state and country
In his welcome remark, Director of CEFTER, Barnabas Ikyo, expressed commitment to economic development, food security, and sustainable practices, disclosing that CEFTER Foods Nigeria Ltd, a subsidiary, of the centre has generated over $1 million in revenue over the past decade.
He noted that CEFTER has also supported 11 startups, establishing new food processing industries and supported refugees and internally displaced individuals to be self sustaining among other things.
