Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, NIFST, East Central Chapter, has held an annual summit with a call on youths to venture into green technologies in food processing.
The programme which took place at the Agriculture Hall, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, was the tenth in the series tagged “10th Regional Food Science and Technology Summit, ReFoSTS”
The summit attracted members of the academic community and students of Food Science and Technology in tertiary institutions in Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States that make up the East Central chapter of the association.
The summit had as its theme: ‘Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security In Nigeria: Challenges and prospects’.
It had the sub theme: “Green Technologies in Food Processing For Sustainable Food Security as well as improving nutritional security of processed foods.”
Declaring the summit open, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK Awka, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu said food security is primary and first step towards security of lives and properties and as such, the summit is necessary as it will help to reduce the dependency on imported foods and channel concentration on one’s produce within the country.
The Vice Chancellor who spoke through Professor Harry Obi-Nwosu, disclosed that the institution recently laid a foundation of food processing industry because they are aware of their roles in development of any society, stating that without sustainable food supply, no society can develop.
In an address of welcome, the Chairman of the East Central Chapter of the institute, Dr OJ Ikegwu represented by a lecturer in Food and Science Technology at Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr Mrs Ijeoma Nzelu, said that ReFoSTS gathers Food Science and Technology scholars and students who through research, innovation and entrepreneurship are showing the society best ways to process, preserve and make food available to the common man while drastically reducing waste.
On her part, the keynote lecturer, Dr Ndidi Nwuneli represented by Chinedu Agbara, told participants that food processing and preservation is no more a culture but an industry that innovation can help them improve on.
Professor Gregory Onwuka of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike who delivered a paper on the topic, “Green Technologies in Food Processing for Sustainable Food Security” noted that the way to go is adaptation of green technologies in food processing and preservation by individuals and industries if sustainable food security and a safer society will be achieved.
Lending his voice, the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee of the conference, Professor James Obiegbuna, noted that they want to change the mind set of people who only major in other professions that there are opportunities in Food Science and Technology discipline as it is a very important way of transforming food processing and preservation.
In their separate speeches, a final year student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Samuel Chibuokem and his counterpart from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Oluoma Anya, promised to internalize the lessons they learnt from the summit.
The summit came to its climax with the presentations of awards to individuals who have distinguished themselves with their works in guarantying food safety and sustainability.
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