The conference which was held on 17th June 2020 to commemorate NIFST day had in attendance, 143 participants comprising of NIFST members, food value chain actors and consumers. The theme of the conference “Food safety and value addition for food security and wealth creation in a Nigerian Post Covid climate” was to provoke the society on responsible actions towards sustainable food safety and value addition agenda in the Nigerian food supply chain. The keynote address FOOD SAFETY AND VALUE ADDITION FOR FOOD SECURITY AND WEALTH CREATION: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE concisely delivered by his eminent Prof. O.C. Aworh FNIFST, FIAFoST opened reach intellectual discussions at the conference. The address took participants through the Importance of food safety and value addition, the impact of socio-economic issues of the country on the culture of food safety and value addition, and the way forward.
The conference generally observed the need for education, advocacy, funding, implementation, legislation, collaboration and a sense of collective responsibility on the subject matter. The Chapter Chairman Prof. M.O. Oluwamukomi who gave an opening remark informed the attendees of the virtual conference to still look out for the physical REFoSTS where technical sessions shall be held hopefully before the National Conference of the Institute holding between October 14th and 15th 2020 in Ikeja, Lagos State. Other colourful elements of the conference was the outstanding moderation and rapporteur by Dr. Mrs G.O. Olatunde, goodwill messages from important signatories at the event; Mr Oluwole E. ‘Toye, FNIFST President of NIFST, Prof. I.A. Adeyemi the first Chairman of Western Chapter, and the novel virtual cake cutting ceremony stylishly conducted by Prof. Mrs O.K. Kareem. Please find below the video of the event and the presentations of the respective speakers at the conference for your pleasure.