The 2023 Step Conference on National Transformation has kicked off in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State. The conference, which drew participants from across the globe, opened with a keynote address by Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovations from the Republic of Uganda, Kampala.
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Ensuring Food Security in Africa
Dr. Masanza’s address centered on the urgent need for African nations to harness appropriate technology for massive food production.
She stressed that African countries should shift away from exporting raw materials at giveaway prices and, instead, focus on importing finished products at exorbitant costs, as this practice threatens food security across the continent.
The minister highlighted the importance of adopting a disruptive approach, moving from traditional agriculture practices to viewing agriculture as a business enterprise. She emphasized the necessity of developing technology to enhance the value chains in the agricultural sector. Dr. Masanza urged Africa to embrace innovation and technology to increase earnings and positively impact local communities.
Embracing Climate Change as an Opportunity
Addressing concerns about climate change, Dr. Masanza encouraged African nations not to panic. Instead, she proposed seeing climate change as an opportunity to develop and offer solar or green energy to the world. She underlined Africa’s unique position, being blessed with abundant sunshine, capable of producing copious amounts of renewable energy. Dr. Masanza emphasized that climate change should not be a cause for seeking aid but rather a catalyst for technological development in Africa.
Dr. Masanza dispelled the notion that business success is solely contingent on significant funding. She stressed that a combination of financial resources, foresight, and proper training can lead to business success. This sentiment aligns with the conference’s focus on empowering young people in Agricpreneurship, emphasizing that adequate training and vision are critical components for achieving food security and economic stability.
The Aims of the 2023 Joint Step Conference
The founder and director-general of the Institute for National Transformation, Prof. Vincent C Anigbogu, welcomed participants to the event. He expressed the conference’s primary goal, which is to train disciplined and skilled young individuals in Agricpreneurship. The objective is for these participants to serve as agents of change, training future generations in methods to achieve food security and eliminate youth restiveness, not only in Akwa Ibom but beyond.
Prof. Anigbogu also highlighted the institute’s efforts to collaborate with the Akwa Ibom State government, under the administration of former Governor Udom Emmanuel, to train the Akwa Ibom State-Youth Empowerment Agricultural Programme (YEAP) pilot group in Israel. As a testament to the program’s success, nearly all of the 49 participants have prospered in their chosen endeavors.
He further praised the 2023 conference as the first to integrate with communities and government agencies since the institute’s inception in 2011. This approach aims to address pressing issues related to food security and youth restiveness by sharing lessons learned with other states and nations facing similar challenges.
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Key Recommendations for Maximizing Potential
During the event, several key recommendations were made to ensure that the Institute for National Transformation could maximize its potential. Engr. Seun Falade, the executive director of INT, called for the repeal of land use acts to grant individuals land titles, making land acquisition for business purposes less cumbersome. Another point raised by Ishaka Jilemsam of INT and Dr Mike Adebiyi from Atlanta, Georgia, centered on the importance of addressing insurance issues to mitigate potential losses by trainees in case of unforeseen events.
The 2023 Joint Step Conference on National Transformation is poised to be a significant platform for discussing innovative approaches to agricultural development, technology adoption, and youth empowerment, with a strong focus on ensuring food security and economic growth in Africa.