By Ikenna Nwokedi 

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka through her Centre for Agripreneur and Cooperative Research/Practice (CACORP) has entered into a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) geared towards the promotion of food crops in all value chains for insuring food security in the country.

The CACORP team led by the Chairman of the Board and its Pioneer Director on Tuesday, 16th September, 2025 paid a familiarization visit to the Anambra State Coordinator of FMAFS at his office in Awka.

In his opening remarks, UNIZIK Acting Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of CACORP Board, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi expressed her delight over the partnership between the institution and the FMAFS. The Acting Vice-Chancellor who was represented by the Vice-chairman of the board and current Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, UNIZIK, Prof. Francis Nwankwo, expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister for graciously approving the partnership proposal between UNIZIK and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security which he described as a significant milestone in strengthening the agricultural sector.

The acting VC averred that the familiarization visit and fruitful interaction will lead to a positive move towards taking the agricultural sector in the institution and the state to an accelerated level.

The Pioneer Director of CACORP, Dr. Nma Okechukwu Okoroji during her speech, informed that CACORP was established in the institution to serve as a centre of excellence in agripreneurship and cooperative innovation while stating that the collaboration will drive enhanced agricultural productivity in the state, implementing capacity development programs and generating solutions to practical agricultural challenges through joint research and innovation in line with President  Ahmed Tinubu's agricultural revulotionary agenda.

The CACOPR Director highlighted some of the needs of the centre ranging from provision of tractor for support of farming operations at Umueje community and demonstration sites; provision of viable improved variety coconut, oil palm, cocoa and other tree crops seedlings; irrigation facility, agro-inputs as well as training programs and advocacy initiatives. 

The scholar further disclosed that the Centre proposes a student internship and training programs that will empower learners to gain hands-on experience while assuring of the readiness of CACORP in contributing meaningfully to agricultural development in line with the mandate of the FMAFS.

Responding, the State Coordinator of FMAFS, Chief Arthur Mbuba emphasized that the collaboration with the Ministry and UNIZIK will aid in tackling the challenges bedeviling the agricultural enterprise in the state and beyond. Chief Mbuba affirmed that agriculture is the only enterprise that can rescue the nation and other countries from economic doldrums.

The State Coordinator while commending the Honourable Minister for his approval assured that there will be a meaningful and productive collaboration between the Ministry and UNIZIK in ensuring that the institution achieves its objective of enhancing the various value chain of the sector and achieving agricultural revolution in the land.

In a vote of thanks, the Deputy Director of CACORP, Dr. Taiwo Abdulahi eulogized Chief Mbuba for his warm reception and his vision of driving agricultural growth in the state and beyond through partnership with CACOPR. Dr. Abdulahi informed that the partnership between the University and the Ministry will be goal oriented and productive for both the town and gown.

Others present during the familiarization visit were Dr. Jane Frances Okoye, Deputy Director at CACORP; Mrs Juliet Ugochukwu, Technologist at CACORP; Dr. Ikenna Nwokedi, Media Manager at CACORP; Engr. Samuel Ekwolo, Deputy Director at FMAFS; Dr. Chukwujekwu Obianefo, Agric. Officer at FMAFS and Justin Odumodu, IT Student at FMAFS.