Event & News

UNIZIK ALUMNI EMERGE WINNER OF TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION GRANT

Maryann Chinasa Ezeh, a graduate of the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has emerged as one of the winners of the 2023 Tony Elumelu Foundation Grant for Agribusiness.

Miss Ezeh graduated as the overall best student from the Department during the 2017/2018 academic session. Presently, she is studying for a Master’s degree in Seed Science and Technology at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana.

Speaking on her achievement, Miss Ezeh described the Crop Science Department as the place where her dream was nurtured. She said “In my fourth year at the university, the idea of establishing an agribusiness company surfaced. This was borne out of my desire to proffer a solution to the unavailability of agricultural inputs to farmers and students of Agriculture in Southeast Nigeria. After I graduated from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2018, I proceeded with my National Youth Service (NYSC) at the Ministry of Agriculture, Ikeja, Lagos state, and later worked with Farmkonnect Agribusiness Company, Ibadan, where I explored a few practical farm experiences in the quest to achieve my goal”

She also identified the importance of training and mentorship to her success “Advancing my academics for a master’s degree in Seed Science and Technology at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, was a stepping stone to achieving this goal. WACCI nurtured me through a series of business trainings and equipped me with the practical skills needed to run a successful seed business. I was lucky enough to carry out a three-month industrial training with SeedCo West and Central Africa, Ghana, and this was a great leap up the Ladder of success. During this time, I learned about the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which is a leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs through startup funding and intensive business training. In 2023, I applied to the foundation for a business grant. Luckily for me, I was among the beneficiaries of the 2023 cohort to receive seed capital from the Tony Elumelu Foundation. It was a dream come true for me.

With the great support and guidance of my mentor, Dr. Takemore Chagomoka, currently the Regional Manager of SeedCo West and Central Africa, Ghana, who guided me through all the training process, proposal writings, and financial projections that earned me the Tony Elumelu business grant”.

Reacting to the news, Dr. Nneka Okolie the HOD of Crop Science and Horticulture, described Miss Ezeh as a good ambassador of the Department. She also noted that her achievement reflects the quality of graduates the Department is producing. She therefore called on undergraduate students to leverage their lecturers' network and experience to nurture their dreams. Also, Mrs Stella Muojiama, who was her undergraduate supervisor, described her as a committed, dedicated and goal oriented student who epitomizes everything the Department stands for.

With the support from Tony Elumelu Foundation, Miss Ezeh has now established her agribusiness company “Annarvest Multiventures Company Limited” in Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria. The company started operation on 9th April 2024 and its mission is “to provide timely and quality agricultural inputs to farmers and students of Agriculture in Southeast Nigeria”.

Written by

Dr. Oluropo Apalowo (ICT Officer, Crop Sc. Dept.)

 

Published by

Mr. Ude Sabastine C. (FAG MICTU Officer)

 

AKPULU SOMTO EMERGES AS THE BEST GRADUATING STUDENT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CROP SCIENCE AND HORTICULTURE

Akpulu Somto Johnpaul has emerged as the overall best student in the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, for the 2021/2022 academic session.  Mr. Somto graduated with a Cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.31 to also emerge as the joint best graduating student in the Faculty of Agriculture.

Describing his experience as an undergraduate student, he said he had poor academic performance during his first year because he was not serious and also lacked focus academically. However, he took his studies seriously in the second year and strived to make First Class. His hard work eventually paid off as he made excellent results in his second, third, fourth and fifth year respectively. Unfortunately he couldn't graduate with a first class honours as a result of his performance in the first year. He said this is one of his biggest regrets and hoped other students will learn from his mistakes and take their academic seriously from 100 level.

Speaking on why he chose Crop Science, he confessed his first choice in Jamb was Medical laboratory Science but later changed it to Radiography. Nevertheless, he was given admission through the prescience program to study Crop science and Horticulture which was not his choice. It was when he got to the Department he understood different career opportunities there and decided to pursue them. Presently, the Anambra citizen considers himself as a great ambassador of Agricultural Science. His favourite courses are those relating to Animal science, Crop science and Horticulture, Fisheries and aquaculture, Forestry and wildlife management and also Soil science and land resource management.

Reacting to the news, the HOD of Crop Science and Horticulture, Dr. Nneka Okoli described Somto as a brilliant and inquisitive student who rarely misses class and always asking questions, sometimes beyond the scope of the lecture. She therefore advised the undergraduate students to emulate him. Also reacting to the news, Dr. Ropo Apalowo, the Exam Officer advised other students to learn from Somto’s story and never give up on their results, irrespective of their previous CGPA.

Somto had his Basic Education at Carray Montessori School, Umuahia, Abia state, and his secondary education at the Federal Science and Technical College, Awka, Anambra State.  He, along with other best graduating students for the 2021/2022 academic session from all the Faculties in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, were recognized and given an award on the 5th of December 2023, during the 17th Convocation ceremony of the university.

He therefore attributed this feat to hard work. He also dedicated the achievement to God for his grace in his life, while expressing gratitude to his parent for their support throughout his undergraduate days.

Written by:

Dr. Oluropo Apalowo (ICT Officer, Crop Sc. Dept.)

 

Published by:

Mr. Ude Sabastine C. (FAG MICTU Officer)