AGRIKEXPO: FOODBEXT, NAFDAC, LCCI COLLABORATE

By Princewill Ekwujuru
FoodBext, in collaboration with National Agency for Food  Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)  and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), is set to showcase AGRIKEXPO, which has been described as a fulcrum that will redefine commercial agriculture in Nigeria and West Africa.

In statement,  Reg Konnie, project manager of The Expo said that the transformational agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan has thrown up a peculiar opportunity for commercialized agriculture and food supply which, if well managed, would bring several economic benefits.

Agriexpo, an agricultural exhibition scheduled to hold Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at the Board Room of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), is collocated with Foodbext (Food/beverage exhibition), which has already been endorsed by NAFDAC, the engine house of food safety and nutritional control.

Konnie assured all and sundry that the expo would deliver on knowledge, services and products in the area of modern agriculture, and would attract the best in the world.

Also speaking, Baba Alkali, an agronomist, said that the interaction between foreign companies and local agricultural stakeholders would bring a new lease of commercial glory to agricultural productivity for the good of the nation.

In his contribution, Ugo Nwabuisi, CEO, 4rX Ltd., noted that 'Time has come to hold out the prospects for agricultural business and foreign direct investment in Nigeria, and the government must rise to the occasion. The imminent threat of food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa has come more into focus and all must rise to the occasion.'

Nik Coleman, economic counsellor, South African High Commission, also said that there are several areas of synergistic relationship between South African Agri/F&B businesses with their West African counterparts. 'AGRIKEXPO will definitely open up new frontiers for the mutual benefit of both countries,' he added.