By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Several important personalities have been invited to speak and grace the 50th anniversary celebration of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to Chairman of the Planning Committee of event nicknamed IITA@50, Dr Kwesi Atta-Krah, the 50th celebration would give the institute the opportunity reflect on its achievements since its creation and also highlights the challenges faced so far with a view to solving them and plan for the future.
At the event slated for Monday, July 24, 2017, business moguls like Mr Aliko Dangote, Mr Tony Elumelu and others have been pencilled down to share their thoughts to guests.
Also to grace the occasion are Mr Yakubu Gowon, who is a former Head of State; Mr Olusegun Obasanjo, also a former Head of State and a civilian President; Mr Abiola Ajimobi, Oyo State Governor; and Mr Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Others are Dr Kanayo Nwanze, former President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); Dr Deo-Guide Rurema, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock in Burundi; Mapon Matata Mpoyo, former Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of Congo; Prof. Abel Olayinka, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan; Mrs Ayoka Lawani, IITA Alumni representative; Dr Perin Ange, Associate Vice President, IFAD; and Dr Audu Grema, representative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Abuja.
The IITA was established in 1967 through partnership of Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation of the United States and it presently the biggest international research institute in Africa working on the continent’s major staple crops like cassava, maize, cowpea, yam, soybean and banana/plantain.
Adedapo Adesanya