In continuation of its Public Enlightenment Programme, the National Sugar Development Council, Abuja organized Sugar Sensitization Workshop for Stakeholders in the Southern Region of the country held on Thursday 21st September, 2017 at Diamond Hall, Transcorp Hotels, No. 10 Murtala Muhammed Highway, Big Qua Town, Calabar, Cross River State. The Theme of the workshop was “Keeping the Implementation of NSMP on Track for Sugar Self-Sufficiency and Sub-Theme was Charting a New Course for BIP Implementation- the Perspective of the Players”.
The Chairman of the Workshop was Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Sam Egwu Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, who was represented by Distinguished Senator Barnabas Gemade, Member, Senate Committee on Industry, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, while the Special Guest of Honour was Honourable Peter Akan Egba, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Calabar, Cross River State. The Keynote Address titled, “Highlight of the Mid Term Review Workshop on the Implementation of the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP)- Progress in the First Half(2013-2017) and Focus in the Second Half (2018-2023)” was delivered by Dr. Latif D. Busari, Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council, Abuja while Mr. Kolawole Hezekiah, Director (Policy, Planning, Research & Statistics), National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) gave the welcome address.
The following dignitaries delivered Goodwill Messages at the Workshop:
- Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources represented by Gabirel Ofonu, Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources Calabar, Cross River State;
- Olushola Adepoju, Chairman, Oyo State Sugarcane Processors Limited, Iseyin, Oyo State;
- Toyin Bankole, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Zenith Agro-Ethanol Nigeria Limited Abuja;
- Kenneth A. Ittah, Chairman, National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Cross River State Chapter;
Three (3) Papers were presented at the sensitization workshop as follows:
i. Charting a New Course For BIP Implementation- The Perspective Of The Players by:
a. The Managing Director, BUA Sugar Refinery Lagos; Ibrahim A. Yaro;
b. The Group Managing Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery Lagos; Engr. Sule Abdullahi;
c. The General Manager, Sunti Golden Sugar Estate Limited; Anlo du Pisani
ii. Sugarcane Farmers/Out-growers by Dr. Silas Agbana, General Manager, Agric. Confluence Sugar Company, Ibaji, Kogi State;
iii. Sugarcane Seedlings Supply- the Role of Bio-Technology by Dr. Shola Odusanya, Scientific Consultant, Bio Crops Biotech Company, Ltd, Abuja.
Resolutions were drawn after a lively deliberation on the various papers presented by the resource persons. The one day Workshop attracted participants from both the Private and Public Sectors in the Southern Region of the Country. Notably in attendance were National Assembly Members, Academia, Sugarcane Farmers/Out-growers, Sugar Refinery Operators, Technocrats, Sugar Technologists, Sugar Marketers etc. Sugar Road Map Implementation Committee (SURMIC) Members, Representatives of Federal Government Parastatals etc.
