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Sanni lauds FG over appointment as NSPRI executive director
° As OYSCATECH felicitates governing council chair on appointment
The newly appointed Executive Director for Nigerian Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, Prof. Lateef Sanni has appreciated the Federal Government of Nigeria over his appointment as the Executive Director for Nigerian Stored Product Research Institute in Ilorin.
Prof. Sanni also extended his gratitude to the Almighty God for the opportunity.
According to him, “There is the need for one to sustain one’s excellence, integrity, and productivity. And I will make sure that I work together with other team players in solving so of the sustainable development goals and by God’s grace, success is ours.”
The Management of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora under the leadership of Prof. Akinola Akinlabi, and the Governing Council Members of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora have congratulated the institution’s Governing Council Chairman, Prof. Lateef Sanni over his appointment as the Executive Director for Nigerian Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin
In a congratulatory message signed by the Registrar of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Mr. Rasheed Fasasi Adenrele Adeniji, the Rector described Prof. Sanni as an erudite scholar, exemplary, visionary leader of an impeccable standard and exceptional international researcher whose leadership acumen have not only impacted the academia, industry, the international community and Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora in particular but the nation as well.
The Rector noted the remarkable contributions of Prof. Sanni at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), while serving as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Developments) and to building an Economically Sustainable, Integrated Cassava Seeds System Phase II (BASICS II) and Cassava Adding Value for Africa Phase I & II.
Prof. Akinlabi opined that Sanni will record unprecedented achievements in the new assignment, considering his intellectual capacity and professionalism with which he conducts the affairs of the Governing Council of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora.
The Rector on behalf of the Management, Board of Studies, Staff, Students, and Alumni of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora therefore, wishes Prof. Lateef Sanni God’s guidance, good health, and unparalleled success in his new assignment.
Prof. Sanni is a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria, and President, of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops.
Prof. Lateef Oladimeji Sanni until his appointment was the former Head of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Station in Abuja and Project Manager for Building an Economically Sustainable, Integrated Cassava Seeds System Phase II (BASICS II).
He is the Chairman, of the Steering Committee of African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD).
Prof. Sanni has over thirty years of experience in research, consultancy, and collaborations as a post-harvest expert on tropical roots crops mostly implemented by the Natural Resources Institute, United Kingdom, Association of African Universities, Council of Agricultural Research Forum, West and Central Council for Agricultural Development and International Institute of Tropical Root Crop with over seventy overseas trips to six continents.
Prof. Sanni graduated from the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta with a Bachelor of Science degree; Second Class Upper Division in the Department of Food Science and Technology in 1990. He obtained Masters’s and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degrees at the Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan in February 1993 and April 1999 respectively.
The distinguished Prof. Sanni received Harvard Business School, Boston, USA training on Leading Change and Organizational Renewal from 17th to 22nd March 2013.
Prof. Sanni joined the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), now FUNAAB in 1993 as an Assistant Lecturer and became Professor of Food Science and Technology in 2008.
As a distinguished scholar, Prof. Sanni has published over 109 Technical Journal articles; 30 Books, and 30 Conference proceedings.
He has supervised in collaboration with colleagues well over 100 undergraduates, 17 Masters and 24 PhD students.
Prof. Sanni is globally cited with 3,809.
He successfully served as the Country Manager for Nigeria in a Five-Country project, Cassava: Adding Value for Africa II (CAVA and CAVA II) projects sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation from 2008 to March 31, 2019.
Professor Lateef Sanni won the World Bank Facility for Academic Staff of Universities to the Natural Resources Institute, Kent, UK in 1995.
The International Foundation for Science, Sweden, launched Prof. Sanni Lateef as a leading contributor to multi-million dollar projects on cassava since 1999.
The erudite Professor was the leader (of Food Processing and Value Addition), Center of Excellence in Agriculture and sustainable environment in 2013 for the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
Prof. Lateef served as the Resource Person, World Bank Sponsored project titled “Upscaling the Nigerian Flash Drying Experience for Sustainable Regional Trade and Income Generation in West Africa”(Ghana, Benin Republic, Sierra Leone, Nigeria).
He also served as the Country Manager for the European Union-African Caribbean Pacific (EU-ACP) Science Technology Capacity Building Project, Nov 2009 to October 2012 in collaboration with the Greenwich University/Natural Resources Institute, Chatham.
His wealth of experience made him serve as Project Coordinator, Cassava Value Chain Development project in West Africa, covering Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Benin Republic; a three-year project, sponsored by the Common Fund for Commodities from August 2008 to March 2012 and implemented by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, (IITA) Ibadan, Nigeria.
Prof. Sanni has won several awards, some of which include; the 2008 Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Award, Regional Technology Development in Sub-Saharan Africa, Outstanding Award-2006 Academic Accomplishment by Junior Chambers International, Abeokuta, Gateway Hotel, Abeokuta, Nigeria, and the Best Oral Presenter Award at the 7th African Crops Science Conference organized by African Crops Science Society, Entente, Uganda in December 2005.
Prof. Sanni also won the Research Productivity Award (Senior Academic Category) in January 2011 and the Most Outstanding International Ambassador Award of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in January 2012, and the FUNAAB Students’ Union Award of Excellence in May 2013.
He was an editorial board member of the International Journal of Food Science, and Technology from 2005 to 31st July 2015 and is currently serving as a reviewer to so many international journals around the world.
As a true ambassador and alumnus of FUNAAB, Prof. Lateef Sanni was a member of, Governing Board of FUNAAB and former Dean, of the College of Food Science and Human Ecology, FUNAAB.
Prof. Lateef Sanni facilitated the donation of a Modern Garri Processing Factory worth sixteen Million Naira to the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora on the bill of Cassava Adding Value for Africa II.
Prof. Lateef Sanni is a seasoned scholar, dynamic leader, Postharvest innovator on cassava and root crop development, a facilitator on the enhancement of skills for early career scientists, and a consultant to the Federal Government of Nigeria on the Cassava Value Chain, NGOs, and international bodies like FAO, UNIDO, and IITA.
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Ford Trims Workforce: 4,000 Jobs to Go in Europe
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
News
Tinubu Dissolves UNIZIK Council, Sacks VC, Registrar, Otukpo Pro-Chancellor
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
News
Ekiti Workers to Earn N70,000 Minimum Wage as Govt Signs MoU with Unions
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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