By Ikenna Nwokedi
Dr. Ogechukwu Anulika Umeh of the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture on Tuesday, 13th May, 2025 successfully delivered the 11th Faculty Lecture and third in the Young Geniuses Series of the Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The 11th Faculty Lecture Series held at the Faculty of Agriculture Hall had its topic as, “Improving Underutilized Indigenous Crops in South Eastern Nigeria: A Panacea to Food Security.”
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Lecture Series, Prof. Gabriel Onyenegecha Ihejirika stated that the lecture series created a platform to speak about transformative conversations and spotlight innovative ideas for solving pressing societal challenges in the agricultural sector. Prof. Ihejirika also stated that in the era where food insecurity continues to challenge our communities and threaten our collective well-being, there is a need to look inward and harness our underexplored agricultural assets.
Prof. Ihejirika while affirming that Southeastern Nigeria is blessed with a rich diversity of indigenous crops pointed out that there is a need for the citizens to reimagine the approach to agriculture through research, innovation and policy that prioritizes local strength. The scholar commended the UNIZIK Faculty of Agriculture for the Geniuses Series while also eulogizing Dr. Umeh for her research impact in the academic world.
Declaring the event open, UNIZIK Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu highlighted the importance of agriculture towards the socioeconomic development of the nation. Prof. Ikechebelu who was represented by the institution’s Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Angela Ufele-Obiesie commended the Faculty of Agriculture for their immense contributions toward the agricultural sector in the University as well as keying into the drive for academic excellence.
In her remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Cordelia Ebenebe informed that the Faculty Lecture Series was reinvented to accommodate scholars who are yet to rise to the rank of a Professor which led to the advent of the Faculty Young Geniuses Series. Prof. Ebenebe stated that the scholars in the Faculty are in the profession to bring about changes in development in all spheres of life through proper agricultural practices.
The Dean of FAG disclosed that the Faculty is changing the scenario with her innovations in the agricultural sector, Prof. Ebenebe thanked all and sundry who came to honour the event and harvest from the fruits of the Lecture Series.
Delivering her Lecture, Dr. Umeh defined underutilized crops as crops with under exploited potential for contribution to food security, health, income generation and environmental services. The scholar highlighted the importance of underutilized indigenous crops stating that they are superior in nutritional composition, prevention of disease, climate resilient, less input for production and a source for livelihood.
Dr. Umeh also enumerated four challenges facing production and consumption of indigenous crops ranging from production, consumer, policy and market related reasons. The young scholar also suggested strategies to improve underutilized indigenous crops by promotion at the family level; community engagement and awareness; farm support and training; seed systems and access; as well as value addition and processing.
The 11th Faculty Lecture Series Lecturer in her recommendations offered that there is a dire need of a well structured seed bank both in-situ and ex-situ for the conservation and preservation of genetic diversity of indigenous crops; carrying out research on underutilized indigenous crops to identify their potentials, challenges and opportunities for improvement, and publishing their research findings in reputable journals.
The scholar also recommended the establishment of indigenous food restaurants and agricultural market gardens in all universities in the zone and establishing a decree for serving of locally made foods in conferences, seminars and workshops.
Dr. Umeh concluded that improving underutilized indigenous crops in Southeast Nigeria is a crucial step towards achieving food security in the region.
In his vote of thanks, Chairman of the Faculty Lecture Committee, Prof. Charles Ishiwu commended Dr. Umeh for her informative and thoughtful insights during her presentation. Prof. Ishiwu called on other scholars in the Faculty to work towards showcasing their academic results and innovations, the scholar thanked the numerous participants for their presence in making the event colourful.
The Faculty Lecture Series also featured merit and cash awards to the best graduating students for 2023/24 academic session from the seven Departments of the Faculty. The merit and cash awards of N50,000 each went to Chioma Rita Nwosu of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension; Kamsiyochukwu Cynthia Odibe from the Department of Animal Science and Technology; Abidakun Peace Ayomiposi of the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture.
Others are Chisom Paschaline Atuili of Fisheries and Aquaculture Department; Jennifer Chinenye Obidike of Food Science and Technology Department; Lilian Chiderah Mbagha from the Department of Forestry and Wildlife and Adeyemo Ojo Miracle Oluwaseun of the Department Soil Science and Land Resources Management.
The Department of Forestry and Wildlife went further to offer the sum of N20,000 to Lilian Chiderah Mbagha for emerging as the best graduating student with CGPA of 4.55 first class honours, an automatic internship placement with one of the department’s partner organizations and a partial scholarship for MSc program in the Department.
