By Usman Shuaibu
The Association of Nigerian Fisheries Scientists (ANIFS) has held its annual conference on fisheries and aquaculture at the permanent site of the University of Abuja, with the theme “Transforming Fisheries and Aquaculture in Nigeria for Increased Productivity: Sustainable Innovations for Policy, Science and Production.”
In his opening address at the 6th annual conference of the association, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Patricia Lar Manko who was represented by Prof. Abdul Buba said it came at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s agriculture subsectors stand out as potent vehicles for food security, employment and sustainable economic growth.
According to the Vice-chancellor, stakeholders must rethink, redesign, and reposition fisheries and aquaculture through innovative science, evidence-based policy formulation and scalable production techniques that respect the boundaries of our ecosystems while meeting the nutritional and economic needs of our people.
She therefore applauded the Local Organizing Committee of the conference, the National Executive Council of ANIFS as well as all volunteers for their understanding work in planning the conference.
Also speaking, the President of ANIFS, Prof. Bamidele O. Omitoyin in the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries management, Faculty of Renewable Natural, Research, University of Ibadan, said the association’s objectives included advance training and capacity building for the next generation of scientists and practitioners, provide evidence-based policy advice to the government and industry for the sustainable development of capture fisheries and aquaculture in Nigeria, and promote excellence and global best practices in
fisheries research and development among other objectives.
He said: “ANIFS is a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organization dedicated to uniting scientists and professionals in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
“ANIFS was committed to driving sustainable fish production, reducing poverty, and ensuring food and nutritional security across the nation”.
On his part, the Local organizing Committee (LOC) Chairman of the conference, Prof. A. S. Dan-kishiya, said the association was determined to close the gap and encourage discussions from researchers and students to industry stakeholders and policy makers.
Dan-kishiya thanked the national executives of the association for their advice, support as well suggestions throughout the planning and organizing of the conference.
Not left out, the Head of Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the University of Abuja, Dr. Hawa Sadiq, who was the conference’s committee secretary, advised the participants to make use of the
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