Akaiso Akaiso,
The 2023 Joint Step Conference On National Transformation has flagged off in Uyo , the capital of Akwa Ibom State with a call by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations, Republic of Uganda, Kampala, Uganda, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, on African nations to see now as the time to deploy appropriate technology for massive food production to feed their people threatened by starvation.
Presenting a paper at the conference that attracted participants across the globe, the minister warned that unless African nations shift away from the practice of exporting or selling the raw materials of their natural resources especially in Agriculture at give away prices to the developed countries and turn back to import finished products at exorbitant costs, food security will continue to be a mirage in Africa.
The minister who kept the audience spell bound in her presentation, suggested that to make in road African nations must adopt a disruptive approach and break away from the past by seeing agriculture as a business enterprise and no longer a way of life.
“The problem of Africa is that it continues to remain stagnant in innovations while the rest of the world are moving ahead. In today’s world you don’t only produce , you must ensure that you have develop appropriate technology to improve the value chains of what you produce to increase your earnings and impact positively on your communities,” she submitted.
While fielding questions from newsmen on the sideline of this august event in the month of October with the theme, Agricpreneurship – Key to Africa’s development she urged African nations not to panic because of climate change but to see it as an opportunity to develop solar or green energy and avail it to the world, noting that climate change had always been there from the beginning of creation.
“Climate change has been happening from the beginning of creation it has been there. The correct response is not for African nations to panic. Climate change is caused majorly by the harmful activities of advanced nations. We are only victims.
“Every such problem presents an opportunity for innovations. We should be the ones producing solar and green energy because Africa has the highest sunshine producing the largest amount of heat in the world. Not to sit down and lament.
“Climate change should not be an aid issue where we run from one conference to another seeking funds from developers. It should be a technology development issue for Africa.”
She used the opportunity to disabuse the notion by majority of African people who could’ve ventured into business but refused on the ground that one can only succeed in business with enough funding, adding that with money and good foresight coupled with adequate training one can succeed which explained the essence of this impressive gathering in Uyo for the 2023 step conference.
In his welcome address, the host of the event, founder/director general, Institute for National Transformation, Prof. Vincent C Anigbogu, said the aim of the 2023 joint step conference was to train disciplined and skilled young people in Agricpreneurship who will then train their generations on how to achieve food security and eradicate youth restiveness in Akwa Ibom and beyond.
He said Institute of national transformation in synergy with Akwa Ibom state government under the administration of former governor Udom Emmanuel had trained Akwa Ibom state- YEAP pilot 50 in Israel, saying that 49 of them are doing well.
Speaking further on the conference, he described it as the best being the first to be attended by his staff, communities and government agencies since the institute started organizing international conferences on issues of importance for Africa in 2011.
“Since INT started organizing its international conferences in 2011, this is the first attempt to integrate with communities and government agencies to address issues of importance to Africa.
“Lessons from this conference will be shared broadly to assist other states and nations who are struggling with the same food security and youth restiveness challenges.” he assured.
Others who spoke on issues that should be addressed to make the institute maximize its potential and also for the young people already groomed by the institute to make the difference were the INT executive director, Engr. Seun Falade who called for the repeal of the land use Acts to give title to individuals and make acquisition of land for business less cumbersome.
While Ishaka Jilemsam of INT and one of the paper presenters at the event and Dr.Mike Adebiyi all the way from Atlanta Georgia wanted issue of insurance to mitigate losses by the trainees in event of any eventuality properly addressed.
