Osse Estates Donates Computers to Edo Agric College
From Omon-Julius Onabu in Benin-City
The invaluable place of computer technology in agriculture formed the highpoint of the ceremony at the presentation of a set of computers to the Edo State College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, by the Osse River Rubber Estates Limited last week-end.
All the speakers, including those from the college, the donor-company and the state government, advocated the increased application of computer technology in order for Nigeria to realise its dream of not only feeding its teeming population but also producing enough for export.
The company, a subsidiary of Michelin, through its Estate Manager, Mr. Gabriel Amadin, noted that it was donating three sets of brand new computers, three UPS, three stabilizers and a printer primarily to enhance the standard of learning in the institution towards the overall improvement of the agricultural sector.
Said Amadin: "Our perception of the industry's manpower requirement today, therefore, is not only to increase numbers, but also the need for improvement of the capability of the existing personnel. There is presently under-tilization of skilled manpower in the agricultural sector.
"We believe strongly too that the application of computer technology to agriculture is one area where the existing staff of the ministries, local governments and organizations will have been trained."
Describing the gesture as one born out the company's "belief in social responsibility to the college, being one of the institutions in our area of operations", he said the company will continue to organize a series of training programmes for its local and international staff as well as external institutions through out Nigeria "to enhance capacity building for managers", in this regard.
According to the representative of the state commissioner for agriculture who is an Assistant Director of Planning and Statistics in the ministry of agriculture, Mrs P.U.A. Akpata, stated that Nigeria more than ever before need qualified middle-level manpower especially in the sector while urging more individuals and corporate bodies to emulate the Osse River Estates example.
The Provost of the College, Mr Julius O. Obahayujie, noted that computer technology would enhance the training of "youths, who will not only help in putting food on the table, but will ensure food security for the nation as well as become employers of labour."
He noted that the college, which now has a population of over 300 students since its reactivation by the state government in 1999 after years of closure during the military era, was the only institution of agriculture in the state and in dire need of similar assistance from all and sundry.
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