His Excellency John Donnelly, the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, proposed an area of collaboration with the Institute on a recent visit to IITA headquarters. Commissioner Donnelly was accompanied by his spouse, Madame Sunita Kofnala, and Political and Economic Officer Tosin Gbolasere.
Representing IITA Director General Nteranya Sanginga, Deputy Director General for Corporate Services Hilde Koper welcomed the team warmly and introduced them to IITA’s technologies and activities.
Following the introduction, Legume Geneticist and Breeder Christian Fatokun, on behalf of the West African Hub Director Michael Abberton, spoke about IITA Research-for-Development activities in the West Africa hub. He highlighted IITA’s work on six mandate crops, cutting across all research areas and IITA’s works with different partners in each country and mainstreaming women and youth into its programs. “Through our plant health laboratory, we also support the Nigerian government to ensure that seeds imported into the country meet international plant quarantine standards,” he said.
Head of Project Development and Administration Unit (PDAU) Kayode Awobajo spoke on the support of the Australian Government to IITA over the years. He highlighted the many collaborations between IITA and the Australian government, emphasizing the immense support received from the Australian government between 2011 and 2018. “We look forward to furthering collaboration after this visit,” he said.