Potato farmers have rewarded some agriculture stakeholders for their contributions in supporting Potato farmers in Nigeria.
The awards were given to stakeholders in government agencies, private sector and the media.
The Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN) gave the awards on April 27 in Abuja, in order to fulfil one of its constitutional obligations of conferring Honorary Award to its deserving members and some other members of the public.
The Minister of state for Agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, and Director General (DG) Raw Material Research Development Council (RMRDC) Prof. Ibrahim Hussaini Doko were given the Merit awards.
Journalists who bagged the awards are Mrs Nneka Nwogwugwu, a reporter and Associate Editor for NatureNews Africa, Mr. Collins Nnabuife, Senior Reporter at Nigerian Tribune Newspapers, Joke Falaju, Senior Correspondent, the Guardian Newspapers, Mr. Vincent Yusuf, Senior Reporter Daily Trust, Mr. Gabriel Ewepu, Vanguard Newspaper.
In his welcome remarks, the National President of the Association, Chief Daniel Okafor, said the only constitutional obligation of POFAN which has not been touched before has finally been accomplished.
He said, “I see this as the beginning of more good things to come to POFAN as farmers’ big family.
“I thank everyone who is here today and in a special way all the recipients of today’s award for always being there for POFAN all the time their assistance are needed.
“The awardees should equally know that appreciation is an application for more. I urge them to see POFAN as their own organisation as always and stand firm with us as they have being doing.
“We are stronger together as we look forward for their more support and more partnership. POFAN as organization is working tirelessly to contribute its quota to the achievement of food and nutritional secured nation. Please, join hands with us to get it done.”
An awardee, Commissioner, Gombe State Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Dr. Engr. Shamsuddeen Ahmed (Dan-Adala Gona), while speaking to newsmen said that receiving the award for a job well done by his state commissioner is well appreciated, saying effort would be increased towards sustainable potato productivity in Nigeria.
