By Ikenna Nwokedi
History was made on Thursday, 13th March, 2025 as the Raymond Isiadinso Farmers’ Market Garden was commissioned by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu.
The colourful event which took place at the arena of Faculty of Agriculture, UNIZIK, was a platform for the convergence of critical stakholders in Agriculture such as the members of the academia, industrialists, government officials, farmers, agriculturists and the students.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and the member representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Prof. Lilian Orogbu described the market garden as a laudable project that will aid in promotion of agricultural practice and food production.
Hon. Orogbu who was represented by Barr. Oge Ekweozor commended the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Cordelia Ebenebe for the innovation behind the setting up of the Raymond Isiadinso Market Garden.
The lawmaker also commended the benefactor, Dr. Raymond Isiadinso for keying into the vision of the Faculty and applauded the current administration under Prof. Ikechebelu for giving the nod while promising to give the necessary support towards the sustenance of the noble vision.
In his address, UNIZIK Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu stated that there is food insufficiency in the land and it should be a collective responsibility of all citizens to ensure that there is availability of food.
Prof. Ikechebelu who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor (SAVC) on Academic Matters, Prof. Ada Sam-Omenyi averred that the burden should be on agriculturists to find a solution to food insufficiency.
The Acting VC admonished the Faculty of Agriculture to ensure that available agricultural produce at the market can be purchased at a subsidized rate. The institution’s Chief Executive commended the Dean for her dogged spirit and innovation while assuring of his administration’s support to the project.
Delivering her address, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Cordelia Ebenebe informed that establishing a market garden in the institution has been her dream right from her time as the Sub-Dean of the Faculty. Prof. Ebenebe eulogized Dr. Raymond Isiadinso for his immense support by keying into her vision.
The Dean revealed that the market garden will have abundance of vegetables, fruits, various food items, seeds from various agro outfits as well as agricultural products that will enhance animal growth. The scholar affirmed that business has now commenced geared towards raising the revenue base of the faculty.
On his part, the benefactor, Dr. Raymond Isiadinso stated that the market garden is a simulation of what is obtainable in agro gardens of top universities in the globe. Dr. Isiadinso described good food as a medicine to the body important for the total well being of a human.
The industrialist who commended Prof. Ebenebe for the vision and drive behind the project promised to add cooling systems at the market garden towards ensuring that freshness of the food items and materials will be sustained.
He also called for support from the university community and beyond for the continuous growth of the project.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Foster Ihejiofor described agriculture as the cornerstone of the nation’s economy and the oil that lubricates the human being through food intake.
He described the project as laudable while calling on the university community to patronize the market garden. Also lending his voice to the significance of the market garden to the university community was the immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to Republic of Burundi, H.E Elijah Onyeagba.
In a vote of thanks, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr. John Ogbodo thanked the dignitaries who came to witness the official opening of the market garden as well as personalities who ensured the vision of establishing a market garden came to reality. The scholar promised that the market garden will fully serve the university community.
Highpoints of the occasion was the cutting of the ribbon and official commissioning of the market garden as well as visits to the various stands by dignitaries for purchase of displayed goods.
The colourful event also featured traditional dancing performance by UNIZIK Theatre Arts Department troupe, session of group photograph and goodwill messages from various dignitaries.
