NAAJ to host Pan-Africa Agricultural Journalists in October

The Nigerian Association of Agricultural Journalists (NAAJ) will in October this year host its National Conference in a yet to be determined State and date.

The event will also serve as an avenue to host the Pan-Africa Agricultural Journalists who will be part of the national conference.

Addressing the August edition of the Monthly Forum of the association in Lagos recently, the National President of NAAJ, Mr. Stanley Ihedigbo said that about ten African countries including Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, the Gambia, Somalia and Namibia have all indicated interest to attend.

According to him,”The three day event will include the exhibition of agricultural products, lectures and tour of agricultural projects in the whole of the host state”.

While informing that the association had international trips to make this year which needed sponsorship from corporate organizations so that they fly the nation’s flag as well as the sponsoring companies’ brands outside the country, he disclosed that they would explore any collaboration for a mutually beneficial relationship.

Reacting, the Director of Finance and Administration, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Kolawole Ademola advised the members of the association not to focus the exhibition mainly on agricultural raw materials but also to focus on the finished products that emanated from the agricultural sector.

Ademola added that this would be helpful as most of the agricultural raw materials are perishable and may not endure the number of days the exhibition would last but showcasing agricultural finished products would save the day as it can withstand the tide.

“I want to equally make mention of the forthcoming Pan-Africa programme which your Secretary has made mention of. In as much as that programme has gotten the consent of other African countries, I will like to equally point out that it should not focus mainly on raw materials, it should also focus on finished products that come from agriculture because by the time they come for exhibition, many of the agricultural products are perishable in nature because they could only last for some days and the exhibition will last for three days. But when you equally bring in finished products that come from agriculture, it helps you to expand your reach”, he said.

He congratulated the NAAJ members for the gathering adding that in moving forward, it was important for more heads to come together to deliberate on how to move forward which was why the gathering was very important.

He said,”I want to move forward by congratulating you people knowing full well that agriculture is the mainstay of the black Africa which equally create employment for the populace and act as raw materials for the manufacturing sector hence the importance of agriculture cannot be overlooked neither can it ne overemphasized”.

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