The Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, will on Thursday,(July 21, 2022) perform the official commissioning of the multimillion naira UNILORIN GgMAX Integrated Poultry Farm located at Amoyo in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The commercial poultry farm is financed by a N600 million loan facility from the nation’s apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The Chairman of the Farm Project Steering Committee, who is also the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Mikhail Buhari, disclosed this to UNILORIN BULLETIN last Friday (July 15, 2022) during a pre- commissioning facility tour of the Farm.
Prof. Buhari said that the commissioning would be hosted by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Governing Council , Mallam Abidu Rafindadi Yazidu, OON, and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sulyman Age Abdulkareem.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor added that the epoch-making event is also expected to be graced by dignitaries from all walks of life including the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; CBN Deputy Governors and some Directors as well as heads of sister institutions of higher learning and prominent traditional rulers from across the state.
While commending the University’s Vice-Chancellor for his commitment to the project’s execution and the management of the Central Bank for providing the enabling funds to the University, Prof. Buhari described the farm project as “a game changer” in the annals of creativity in ivory towers leadership in Nigeria.
Prof. Buhari pointed out that the project would contribute to the country’s efforts towards attaining self-sufficiency in poultry production and boost employment opportunities for Nigerian youths.
While describing the project as a success story in view of the positive changes it has brought to the people of the host community and the transformation of an hitherto sleepy region into a busy and economically viable one, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor said that the farm has started with semi-automated production of chicks and its products.
Buhari, who disclosed that the farm has in stock over 25,000 broilers and 17,000 layers, explained that its products would certainly bridge the gap between the demand and supply of protein-yielding food, adding that, apart from the insurance on the farm, well trained experts are also on the farm to perpetuate its successes.
The Vice-Chancellor added that the University was bound to make a lot of money from the farm as everything generated from it, including waste materials, would be sold towards earning more money, which would boost the University’s internally generated revenue.
The foremost academic said that the project is engaging relatively huge number of workers as he said that over 50 who were carefully recruited are already earning their livelihood on the farm while over 200 others are indirectly engaged.
While saying that everything worth doing would be done to ensure the success of the farm project, the distinguished Professor of Medicine pointed out that each of the workers was mandated to work at their maximum best as they would be given specific targets, which must be met.
Prof. Buhari, who said that the farm was located at the South-western end of the University land to spread development and prevent the institution’s land from being encroached upon, assured members of the University community that they would also be opportune to buy the products of the farm.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor encouraged staff, students and members of the host community to see the farm project as theirs and ensure its protection from vandalism.
