By Ikenna Nwokedi
SheServes Africa on Thursday, 20th March, 2025 paid a familiarization visit to the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu at his office.
The association which had the presence of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Amede Olisa-Achingale and the Co-Founder and Director of Programs, Engr. Stella Eneh were led on the courtesy and familiarization visit to UNIZIK Ag. VC by the Director, Centre for Agripreneur and Cooperative Research/Practice (CACORP), Dr. Nma Okoroji alongside a host of University scholars and administrators.
In her opening remarks during the visit, the Director of CACORP, Dr. Nma Okoroji informed that the familiarization visit by SheServes Africa to the Acting Vice-Chancellor was aimed at establishing a collaboration between the group and the institution through the CACORP that will lead to creating opportunities for innovation and uplifting the University by raising its revenue base through marketing of its agricultural produce.
The CACORP Director disclosed that SheServes Africa is at the forefront of empowering women and the youths through her cooperative model of a village loan and saving scheme that can be used to promote agricultural revolution which aligns with part of the vision of CACORP of bridging the gap between theoretical and practical parts of agriculture in the University.
Dr. Okoroji revealed that the CACORP have already purchased 100 grams of Chilli Pepper seeds for cultivation and with the help of SheServes Africa, the institution in no distant time will start exporting Chilli Pepper and other agricultural produce. Dr. Okoroji further disclosed that there is an open opportunity for women and youth agripreneurs in and outside the university community to get involved and register for the SheServes Africa CACORP Savings Group Training Programme to enjoy the sustainable benefits of the Project.
The scholar thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his immense support by giving out lands for hands-on practicals to CACORP.
On her part, the CEO of SheServes Africa, Amede Olisa-Achingale stated that the collaboration with the university through CACORP will lead to enhancing the capacity of the centre towards generating revenue for the institution by utilizing the available land resources and ensuring it becomes productive through a savings program called the village, savings and loan model being applied all over the globe to empower women in the rural areas.
Olisa-Achingale informed that SheServes Africa carries out customized training through secured grant since 2021 which has seen the association empower over 3000 women and youths in the North Central Geopolitical zone and for the current year are poised towards empowering of women and youths in the South East and South West Geopolitical zones in the land.
The ex-banker turned agricuturist thanked Prof. Ikechebelu for his warm reception while promising that SheServes Africa are ready to work with UNIZIK to maximize its potentials through agriculture.
Responding, UNIZIK Acting VC, Prof. Ikechebelu described the vision of SheServes Africa as very commendable particularly through empowering women and youths. Prof. Ikechebelu stated that agriculture is the way to go and there is urgent need for societal reorientation on the importance of engaging in agriculture which is a gradual but sure way of wealth generation.
Prof. Ikechebelu affirmed that the CACORP was established to enhance agricultural practice and for the institution to reap its dividends. The Ag. VC assured of the support of his administration and the university community to the group in its vision of enhancing agricultural practice in the ivory tower.
In a vote of thanks, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Cordelia Ebenebe thanked the Acting Vice-Chancellor for receiving the team despite his busy schedules. Prof. Ebenebe assured of the support of the Faculty of Agriculture and the institution at large towards effective partnership between the CACORP and SheServes Africa.
Highpoints of the familiarization visit was presentation of sourvenirs by the Acting Vice-Chancellor to delegation from SheServes Africa as well as group photograph.
Also present during the visit were Dr. Uko Ibeabuchi, Sub-Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Deputy Director of CACORP; Dr. Eucharia Obidiebube, Head, Department of Crop Science and Horticulture; Dr. Nkechi Ojiagu, Head, Department of Cooperative Economics and Management; Mrs Nkiru Nnonyelu, Secretary Board of CACORP and Ngozi Okpalaononuju, Secretary of CACORP.
