AN ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NIFST), PROF. LATEEF OLADIMEJI SANNI, FNIST AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 38TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT THE BANQUET HALL, SHERATON HOTEL & TOWERS, IKEJA, LAGOS STATE
GREETINGS
All protocol observed.
It gives me special pleasure to welcome you all on behalf of the Governing Council to the 38th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST). The Conference will include Symposium, Special session, Special Awards, Induction of new members, Plenary & Technical Sessions, Investiture of Fellows, AGM and Conference Dinner
NIFST
The Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) founded in 1976 is the only registered (RC No. 247011) Non-Profit Making umbrella Body, representing over 10,000 Food Professionals drawn from the Academia, Industry, Government, Allied Industries, Research Institutes and Regulatory Body in Nigeria.
The Institute is committed to attain her vision of GOOD AND ABUNDANT FOOD FOR ALL THROUGH SERVICE TO HUMANITY AND COUNTRY, RESULTING IN FOOD SECURITY AND THE WELLBEING OF NIGERIANS. We will achieve the vision through well structured mission TO HARNESS THE ABUNDANCE OF TALENT, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AMONG FOOD PROFESSIONALS IN NIGERIA TOWARDS FOOD SUFFIECIENCY AND GOOD NUTRITION OF THE MASSES.
INTERNATIONAL LINKAGES
Ladies and Gentlemen, NIFST is a driving force in the founding and growth of West African Association of Food Science Technology (WAAFoST) and an adhering body of the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST), and the South African Association of Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) which is a Federation of National Food scientists and Technologist.
Food Scientists and Technologists are concerned with the food transformations/value chain from the farm produce into processed food products in the home. NIFST as a corporate body is the single largest resource of experienced and skilled manpower in all aspect of food chain value.
NIFST CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTY
The Institute in its 38 years of existence is always willing to co-operate with all Governments (Federal, State, Local), the Nigerian Food Industry, NGO’s, SMEs and Tertiary Institutions to promote all that will enhance and offer solutions to the challenges confronting food security for the people of Nigeria, Africa and the World at large. NIFST regularly provides Training Workshops and Seminars in all areas of Food Processing, Entrepreneur & Skill Acquisition and Capacity Building for professionals and lay People
HIGH QUALITY CASSAVA FLOUR
Cassava bread received national recognition on Monday 29 September 2014 with the award of a National Award (OON) to Mrs Folusho Olaniyan, pioneer producer of 20% cassava bread while she was Managing Director of UTC, Lagos. Congratulations to one of our own on this recognition of the effort to do local content in bread production. Our Institute and other Cassava Stakeholders are aware that this award is coming close on the hills of approval by the Federal Executive Council of six medium-sized cassava mills to ramp up HQCF production in the country and a commitment by wheat millers to achieve universal 10% inclusion by December 2016. Cassava bread is truly a bold idea that has come out of the closet and is firmly on its way to a permanent feature in the Nation’s breakfast table. We thank HMA for being the Chief of the cassava bread idea and to all you stakeholders for your hard and continuous work to make this revolutionary idea a reality.
ISSUES IN FOOD INDUSTRIES IN NIGERIA
We salute our corporate members for their landmark achievements as food industries in Nigeria. Companies like Coca Cola, Nestle Plc, Flour Mills of Nigeria, Lisabi Foods, De-United, Dansa etc are providing foods for our populace. We salute worthy contributions of Small and Medium Scale food enterprises. We wish to request you to recruit more of our young graduates. Remember they are the future of the country. They need to be encouraged and mentored.
THE NIGERIAN COUNCIL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NCFST)
The Executive Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology and for Allied Professional matters therewith of 2011 sponsored by the Ministry of Science & Technology and passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly in 1st June 2011.
The bill is yet to become law of the Federal Republic, because it has not yet received presidential assent till date. We are still pressing links to get the Assent of Mr. President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to the bill on the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology which has been passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Apart from regulating the training and practice of Food Science and Technology profession in Nigeria, the Bill is expected to provide the legal backing to the NCFST to enable it perform its core responsibility of defining and upholding professional standards of competence, integrity and ethical behavior among practitioners in line with International best practices and ensure that the critical control areas of our food supply chains are not in the hands of quacks and charlatans
38TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Your Excellency, Distinguished Guests, Fellow NIFSTers, Ladies and Gentlemen, the theme of this year’s Conference: “FOOD VALUE CHAIN: OPPORTUNITY FOR WEALTH CREATION AND FOOD SECURITY” is very topical.
The 38th International NIFST Conference and Annual General Meeting is a unique 3-day event during which an anticipated 400 delegates from the Food Industry, Government, Research Centers, Academia, Relevant Non-Governmental Organizations and Stakeholders in the agro-allied subsector both within and outside the country.
WORLD FOOD DAY
Permit me to invite all stakeholders to attend the First Joint World Food Day Symposium slated for 16th October, 2014 in FIIRO Multipurpose Hall, Organized by the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) under the able leadership of our erudite Director General of FIIRO and Fellow of NIFST, Dr (Mrs.) Gloria Elemo in collaboration with NIFST. Food, Health and Wealth caps the theme of our conference. You will be glad to be in attendance.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge and appreciate immensely the unstinting sacrifice, selfless service and unrelenting supports made by the following; Mr. Nureni Opaleye (NBC), Mr. Emeka Mba (Coca Cola), Mr. Williams Effiok (NAFDAC), Mr. Oluwole Toye (Bell Oaks), Mr. Jude Mordi (Stouber), the Governing Council, National Secretariat staff and NIFSTers in general towards the growth and the progress made by our great Institute during my tenure as the National President.
I am indeed very pleased to have our Dear Prof Hafiz Abubakar who just received a National AWARD on 29 September 2014 from Our Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan as Member of Federal Republic. Prof Abubakar is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Bayero State University, Kano. I also congratulate Prof Abimbola Uzomah for her Promotion to the rank of Professor in the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. To other achievers, I say congratulations.
As I hand over the baton of leadership of the Institute at the end of the Conference to the incoming President, I pledge my full support to him and to our great Institute (NIFST).
To God be The Glory
Prof. Lateef Sanni, FNIFST, National President NIFST
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