Workers at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, took to the streets on Wednesday to protest the non-payment of their December and January salaries.

The demonstration, held within the institute’s premises, was attended by members and leaders of key staff unions, including the Non-Academic Staff of Universities (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and the Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes, and Allied Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI).

Workers Decry Hardship, Demand Urgent Action

Addressing journalists during the protest, SSANU Chairman, Comrade Agbaje Michael, stated that the demonstration was a call to the Federal Government to urgently address their salary concerns. He lamented that despite letters sent to the Ministry, no concrete action had been taken.

“Our protest is to let the management know that we are suffering and for them to expedite actions. Although they told us they have written letters to the ministry, that is not enough,” Agbaje said.

Also, NASU Chairman, Osadiya Adewumi, decried the hardship faced by workers due to the salary delay.

He described the festive season as a “black Christmas and New Year” for IAR&T employees, many of whom struggled to afford basic necessities.

“There was no money to buy drugs for those on medication and their elderly families among the workers,” Adewumi said.

He further urged the institute’s management to personally visit Abuja to ensure the matter is resolved, warning that failure to do so could prompt NASU headquarters in Abuja to take immediate action.

“Our people are trekking to work daily. If nothing is done soon, we will have no choice but to embark on a ‘no pay, no work’ strategy,” he added.

Federal Government’s Wage Increment Claim Rejected

A National Executive Member of NASU, Comrade Oladeinde Emmanuel, noted that the protest would have been held earlier but workers decided to give the management time to resolve the issue. However, their patience had worn thin.

He also dismissed the Federal Government’s claim that the wage increment was responsible for the delay, arguing that other research institutions had received their salaries.

IAR&T Management Appeals for Calm

In response to the workers’ grievances, IAR&T Executive Director, Prof. Veronica Obatolu, acknowledged the difficulties faced by staff and assured them that efforts were underway to resolve the issue.

She suggested that the non-payment might have been due to an omission in processing the December salaries, stating that the Federal Ministry of Finance has been notified and is working on it.

“The management has been to Abuja to lodge complaints and has also written letters to the necessary authorities,” Obatolu said.

While appealing for calm, she urged the workers to remain committed to their duties, assuring them that the matter would soon be resolved.

“I am sure the Ministry and the Federal Government are aware, and work is ongoing to address the issue,” she assured.

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Akinbamijo made this disclosure recently while delivering a paper, entitled, “New trends in agricultural research for development”, at the closing ceremony of the Institute of Agricultural Research & Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, 50th anniversary, held at the institute hall.

The event also had in attendance: Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, a former Governor of Ekiti state, Chief Adeniyi Adebayo, Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, ex-staff of the institute and farmers among others.

Speaking further, Akinbamijo noted that it was unfortunate that after Nigeria signed various declaration such as the Malapo, Maputo declarations, the country and most African countries are still exporting food farther than what they are exporting.

He stressed the need for Africa to engage more in mechanized agriculture to improve food production in the continent,  urging IAR&T to ensure that farmers benefitted from its various research and experiments.

Akinbamijo, while emphasizing the need for the continent to shift into more organized market to create good incentives for producers as well as farmers, however insisted that food production in Africa cannot increase if proper care is not taken to engage in mechanised farming.

“Africans need to harness the potentials of 4th Industrial Revolution technologies based on strong innovation ecosystem that include skills, infrastructure, regulations and policies”.

Akinbamijo underscored the need for new partnerships, funding mechanisms as well as frameworks for financing Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) in Africa.

“It is not rocket science that we are eating chicken from Netherland. I feel it is a pathetic situation here. I recalled in 2003 this country hosted three conferences on agriculture and food but up till today, the country is still struggling to bridge the gap.

“We need new approaches to move forward, if we continue business as usual, no country will meet the Malabo declaration of doubling agricultural productivity by 2025.

“So, righting this wrong is a task before IAR&T and other research institutes. FARA is the apex agricultural body in Africa. In 2003, Heads of States/ Governments made a declaration that should keep Africa. So, Africa missed out from Maputo in 2003, and quickly what we did, we ran to Malabo in 2014”, FARA Boss added.

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Leader of the IAR&T maize distribution team, Dr. Olugbenga Egbetokun who spoke with journalists recently during the distribution of new maize variety called ART98SWY1, to farmers in Atiba and Oyo East Local Government areas and those at the IAR&T adopted village, Oniyo Eleruwa village in Orire Local Government explained that the distribution was to ensure that young people key into farming in order to avert an outbreak of food scarcity in the state and in the country in general.

Egbetokun hinted that the target was to distribute atleast 500 young maize farmers in the state.

His statement reads, “the seed distribution exercise embarked upon by the institute is to empower farmers especially youths with the new variety of maize.

“The name of this variety is ART/98/SW1-Y. Meaning that it is a yellow material and the maturity period is 75 days which is 2 and half months. It contains protein which every human being need for proper functioning of nerve and general metabolism and it is very good for lactating mothers, children and even for the aged ones.

“That is why we went out to distribute and give it to farmers. We have been to Tede in Atisbo Local Government, we have been to Iseyin in Iseyin Local Government, we have been to Saki in Saki West Local Government, we have been to Oyo East and Atiba Local Government, we have been to Orire Local Government in Ogbomoso. Then again to Ibarapa East and to Bakatari in Ido Local Government all in Oyo State.

“This is to empower youths in production of maize and ensure food sufficiency.

He continued,” so far we have target to distribute one metric tonne of this variety to maize farmers who are youth and women, in each of the zone according to categorisation of ADP in Oyo State, we are picking 50, 50 young farmers and women in the zone and we are giving them 2 KG of this variety. 2 KG each to farmers.

“So far we have target to distribute to 500 young farmers who are maize farmers.

The team leader was accompanied by the Seed Officers of IAR&T, Dr. Julius Olasoji; Mrs. Folake Anjorin and the Head of Public Relations Unit of the institute Mr. Adeniyi Amusat and other staff of the institute

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