MARCEL MBAMALUUNIZIK’s Faculty of Agriculture Dean, Prof. Ifeyinwa Ebenebe, has responded to allegations by the Ifite-Ogwari community that the university has abandoned the 120 hectares of arable land donated to the faculty 19 years ago.
Prof. Ebenebe explained that while the land is crucial, it’s not the only factor needed for agricultural development. She emphasised that other essential factors include labor, capital, and entrepreneurship.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Dean highlighted that the Faculty of Agriculture has seven departments, each with unique needs. While some departments use the Ifite-Ogwari land for industrial training, others require different facilities, such as standard livestock farms or confectionery industries.
Prof. Ebenebe also addressed the infrastructure issue, stating that the faculty lacks basic facilities, including student hostels, staff quarters, and livestock buildings. She attributed this to a lack of resources, emphasizing that the faculty relies on meager financial resources and student contributions.
The Dean urged the Ifite-Ogwari leaders to collaborate with the faculty to press for necessary resources and infrastructure. She also acknowledged the theft of university properties at Ifite-Ogwari, which has hindered development efforts.
Prof. Ebenebe emphasized that agriculture requires a multifaceted approach, beyond just land availability. She called on the university and relevant stakeholders to provide the necessary support and resources to unlock the potential of the Ifite-Ogwari land and drive agricultural development.
Dr. Marcel Mbamalu is a communication scholar, journalist and entrepreneur. He holds a Ph.D in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and is the Chief Executive Officer Newstide Publications, the publishers of Prime Business Africa.
A seasoned journalist, he horned his journalism skills at The Guardian Newspaper, rising to the position of News Editor at the flagship of the Nigerian press. He has garnered multidisciplinary experience in marketing communication, public relations and media research, helping clients to deliver bespoke campaigns within Nigeria and across Africa.
He has built an expansive network in the media and has served as a media trainer for World Health Organisation (WHO) at various times in Northeast Nigeria. He has attended numerous media trainings, including the Bloomberg Financial Journalism Training and Reuters/AfDB training on Effective Coverage of Infrastructural Development of Africa.
A versatile media expert, he won the Jefferson Fellowship in 2023 as the sole Africa representative on the program. Dr Mbamalu was part of a global media team that covered the 2020 United State’s Presidential election. As Africa's sole representative in the 2023 Jefferson Fellowships, Dr Mbamalu was selected to tour the United States and Asia (Japan and Hong Kong) as part of a 12-man global team of journalists on a travel grant to report on inclusion, income gaps and migration issues between the US and Asia.
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