Courtesy visit to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovations and Strategic Partnership (RISP) by team from the New Generation Nutrition Organization, Netherland

A two-man team from the New Generation Nutrition Organization, Netherlands comprising Mrs. Mariam Peters and Mrs. Poppy Eyre paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovations And Strategic Partnership (RISP) ; Professor Olanike K. Adeyemo on Tuesday, 9 July, 2019. Present at the event were Professor A.A. Omoloye from the department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, Director, Office of International Programmes (OIP); Professor Edith O. Ajaiyeoba and Mr. Paul Oghinan (OIP).

The purpose of the visit was to establish collaboration with the University of Ibadan in the development of “Insects Value Chains and Applications” towards meeting new generation nutritional needs of humans and animals.

Professor A.A. Omoloye in his introductory address gave his profound appreciation to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovations and Strategic Partnership (RISP); Professor Olanike K. Adeyemo and the Director, Office of International Programmes (OIP); Professor Edith O. Ajaiyeoba for hosting them. He introduced the team from the New Generation Nutrition Organization, Netherlands stating that he has been collaborating with the team for over three years since 2016 enabling him to bear witness to all the great things the team had done in diverse universities. He emphasised with enthusiasm that their central focus has been to explore the use of insects as food and feeds since they are highly rich in protein and they define our existence. He maintained that without pollination there would not be food, and insects are responsible for about 77% pollination and also engage in rapid decomposition of wastes among host of other importance.

 He further showed his keen interest in the formalization of partnership between New Generation Nutrition Organization and the University of Ibadan knowing so well that the University of Ibadan would benefit from the program. He added that he has a dream whereby University of Ibadan will have an incubation hub for insects and feeds and also mentioned that the project has the support of the Netherland government.     

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovations and Strategic Partnership (RISP); Professor Olanike K. Adeyemo appreciated Professor A.A. Omoloye for the platform, stating that UI is willing to collaborate with them since the university is currently proposing towards collaborating with industries and not just universities alone. She said the initiative tends to be dynamic such that over the years, students have been taught to kill insects but now, the reverse is the case. She also advised that the initiative should be built as a business model which can generate income and enhance sustainability. She also emphasised the need to get grants to foster the collaboration.

Finally, the team expressed their delight in the warm reception that was given to them and stated that they would work towards ensuring a fruitful collaboration.

The meeting ended following a group photograph.   ​

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