The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has bid farewell to Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Specifically, a farewell dinner organized by the Institute was to honour the Permanent Secretary for his immense contributions to IITA.
Dr. Ernest Umakhihe assumed the position of IITA Host Government Representative and member, Board of Trustees by virtue of his appointment as the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on the 29th December , 2020.
Speaking during the farewell dinner, the IITA Director, Dr. Simeon Ehui, said that no Nigerian government representative on the board of the Institute has impacted it in terms of contributions like Dr. Umakhihe made during his tenure.
Dr Ehui pointed out that Dr. Umakhihe‘s tenure on the board saw quick resolutions of challenges like financial matters in terms of Nigerian government statutory contributions to IITA, one CGIAR agenda, CGIAR Integration Framework Agreement, IITA Revised Bylaws and the Unified Governance Review issues where IITA had to take pertinent decisions in arriving to an amicable resolutions for the benefit of the Institute.
Responding, Dr. Umakhihe, expressed gratitude to the Management and staff of the Institute for the honour done to him.
He reiterated his commitment towards improving the livelihood of the good people of Nigeria wherever he found the opportunity to offer his service.
