By Akumbu Uche (Student Editor)
The University of Jos has promised to provide more employment opportunities for the local population in Langtang South Local Government Area when facilities at its Biotechnology Farm in the locality are fully operational.
Speaking during a visit to the secretariat of Langtang South Local Government in Mabudi, Plateau State, Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Sonni Tyoden said people in the area would also benefit from high yield seedlings of different varieties and capacity building initiatives on modern farming techniques through research being conducted by its Biotechnology Centre.
Professor Tyoden, who was represented by Project Manager of the Science and Technology Education Post-Basic (STEP-B) Project of the university Professor Bethrand Nwufo, noted that the University had already employed some Staff of the Biotech Farm at Gangnim from the locality.
According to him, research work on the production of ‘Artemisia Annua’, an anti-malarial plant, was being intensified on the Farm while the facilities were being expanded to accommodate other high yield crop varieties like cassava, maize and citrus fruits.
He expressed confidence that these efforts alongside the support of the Council Authority through the provision of supplementary infrastructure like access roads as well as other logistics would make the Project viable and suitable to local needs.
The vice chancellor added that there could be further opportunities for young students from the Area to be offered admission to study in that and other fields in the University.
He used the opportunity to introduce to the Council Officials, the new Director of the University’s Centre for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Professor B.A. Ajala who was appointed to succeed the pioneer Director of the Centre, Professor Chike Ogbonna.
Responding, Langtang South Local Government Chairman, Hitler Dadi, described the collaboration between the University and the council as exemplary and worthwhile.
Dadi who was represented by the Council Secretary, Mr. Innocent Bissai, commended Unijos for giving people of the area the opportunity to participate in such a project of international significance.
He assured that people in the area would contribute their own quota towards the success of the project which, he said, they have adopted as their own since it has the potential to add value to their lives.
Also contributing, the Special Adviser to the Chairman on Agriculture and Biotechnology, Mr Frank Gambo Barde and the new Director of the Unijos Biotech Centre, Professor Ajala both appreciated the former Director of the Centre, Professor Ogbonna for his pioneering work in securing the farm at Gangnim and establishing it as a research facility.
They expressed optimism that the collaboration between the University and the local government would be sustained.
