The Provost/CEO. of Federal College of Land Resources Technology (FECOLART), Owerri paid a courtesy visit to the new Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command (MR. ISAAC AKINMOYEDE) to welcome him to Imo State and intimate him of the security challenges on campus and in the host communities. The visit was in company of the Eze of Olaukwu (HRH EZE APOLLO EKEOCHA) on Thursday 25/06/2020. The Commissioner was briefed about the activities of hoodlums in the area. The Provost requested for deployment of some personnel of the command to the newly constructed police post at Oforola/Olauku in Owerri West LGA in order to curtail criminal activities in the area. He informed the Commissioner that the presence of his men at the police post will go a long way in curtailing security threats in the area. The Chief Executive used the opportunity to reiterate the peaceful collaboration that has been in existence between the command and the College. According to him, the men of the command working with the College have really helped in curtailing hoodlums and cultist activities on campus. Their presence along with the men of the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of Imo Command who are on pin down have made the college to enjoy peaceful atmosphere in the area. He informed the commissioner about the mandates and programmes/courses run by the College. These include training and development of skilled professionals in the areas of land/soil resources survey & mapping, conservation, environmental management, food security and climate change management services. Others include offering of ND & HND courses in agriculture & related disciplines as well as developing and organizing short duration courses and carrying out advisory services on the above mandates. He further explained that 80% of the courses run by the College are being accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). He emphasised that the command is free to send their men and retirees for training in the college at subsidised rate as part of the College social cooperate responsibility (CSCR).The Provost stated that agriculture is the only occupation approved for public servants to undertake along with their official duties. He remarks that if anybody wants to invest, he/she should think in the direction of agriculture as it holds the key to guaranteed sustenance. He explained that agriculture remains the focus of the current administration in order to diversify and transform the economy. Hence, the mantra of the federal government on Agricultural transformation Agenda (ATA) and the Green Alternative (GA) designed to reposition the economy especially in the post covid-19 pandemic. He said agriculture is now a business and should remain the focus of every citizen with emphasis not just on production but on crop processing, storage, preservation, packaging, branding, patency and marketing using local contents to create value chain with value addition.
The Commissioner in his response recommended that the entire college should be fenced and continue to interface with the local Vigilante, the Ezes and the youth leaders in the host communities. He explained that what delayed the deployment of police personnel to the police post at Oforola/Olauku as requested was due to lack of adequate staff . He then promised that with the situation at hand, few men from the command will be deployed to the police post since accommodation has been provided to this effect. He promised to continue to collaborate with the College to ensure that security is maintained on the college campus and in the host communities. He directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration to make arrangements with due process for the in-service training and inform interested officers as well as the retirees. Those in attendance are the College Provost (Dr. Oluyemi AKANDE, College) Deputy Provost (Academics - Dr. M. C. Jonah), College Registrar (Mr. D. O. Igbojionu), DCP. HUSSANI RABIU (OPERATIONS), DCP KENNETH AKUBUE (FIN ADMIN), DCP BABA MUSA (SCID) and PPRO (C. IKEOKU ORLANDO).
" Instead of staying at home doing nothing, plz take your household to the farm and cultivate because if the covid 19 global pandemic persist there may be famine in 2021 and beyond. Practice farming starting from your backyard in your compound if you have the opportunity please"
