Nigeria’s first Agrivoltaics conference, Ojukwu varsity honours deserving staff, Ojukwu Varsity to host 2024 tree planting, climate action summit July 17.
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Igbariam, Anambra State in partnership with LIFEWS Foundation and Oregon State University, USA is set to hold the Nigeria’s first Agrivoltaics conference between March 26 and 27 at the ASUU-UNIZIK secretariat complex Awka.
The event will focus on a global sustainable solution for food and energy security.
This development was made known when the university management, under the leadership of Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha hosted a delegation from LIFEWS Foundation in preparation for the First Agrivoltaics conference in Nigeria.
Speaking during the visit, Dr Kingsley Ikechukwu Agụ, the Agrivoltaics programme coordinator in Nigeria, reeled out the conference’s objectives, emphasising its role in fostering enlightenment, stakeholder engagement, and the promotion of agrivoltaics as a sustainable solution for food and energy security.
Dr Agụ noted that this initiative is being driven by Gabriel S. Ayayia, Founder of LIFEWS Foundation, in collaboration with Dr Chad Higgins of Oregon State University in the United States of America, to advance agrivoltaics research, implementation, and sustainable development in Nigeria, fostering innovation in climate-smart agriculture and renewable energy solutions.
During the interaction, Southeast Coordinator of the Programme, Dr Chidi Nwafor, further highlighted the conference’s objective as, to identify entrepreneurial minds, foster cutting-edge research, and harness technological innovations to drive sustainable food production in Nigeria.
He assured the team’s commitment to supporting select students and staff through sponsorship opportunities.
Welcoming the delegation, the acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, appreciated the organisers of the conference for taking the lead in the technology revolution in agriculture by advancing research on Agrivoltaics.
She stated that COOU is ready to be part of the project and would be willing to work and learn from the LIFEWS Foundation for the betterment of COOU and the society at large.
Expressing gratitude to the Agrivoltaics team, she re-affirmed that the foundation of all academic and scientific endeavours must be anchored in practical application rather than theoretical abstraction.
She also assured the team of the university’s readiness to provide all required support for the success of the conference.
Other Members of the University management who were present at the meeting include: the deputy vice chancellor (Academics), Professor Osita Chiaghanam; deputy vice chancellor (Administration) Professor M.O. Ananti; registrar, Mr Chris Obi; acting bursar, Dr Nath Udezo and the university acting librarian, Dr Uche Enweani.
Others are dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Professor C. Ugwumba, manager, COOU Fish Farm, Dr C.O. Nwokoye and manager, COOU Farms, Mr Regina Chukwudozie.
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