By Dele Ogbodo
International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, IITA recently bade farewell to Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, a cerebral and astute Permanent Secretary, who has meangingfully contributed to the development of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The farewell dinner organized by the Institute was to honour the Permanent Secretary for his immense contributions to IITA.
Speaking during the farewell dinner, the Institute Director, Dr. Simeon Ehui, stated that no Nigerian Government representative on the board of the Institute made the contributions. Dr. Umakhihe made during his tenure.
He pointed out that Dr. Umakhihe‘s tenure as 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 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.
It would be recalled that 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.