RMRDC inaugurates Cashew Nut Shell Liquid project in Abia varsity
[BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]
Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), an agency under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Thursday, inaugurated the Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) project, conceived to boost research and revenue base of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU).
Director-General of RMRDC, Professor H.D Ibrahim, while inaugurating the project said it would open a vista of new opportunities for the school, including boosting research and entrepreneurial activities in the university.
The RMRDC Director-General who was represented by the Director of Planning Department, Dr B.O Olugbemi, noted that ABSU has a robust research capacity enhanced by the ambient environment with cashew trees that provides conducive atmosphere for research activities, hence the choice of the University for citing the CNSL project.
The project, he added, would promote research, product development, training, teaching, entrepreneurship and would also boost the internally generated revenue of the University, as well as other value chains that the Institution would be specially noted for in future.
He thanked the Vice-Chancellor and his Management team for their commitment over the years towards the realization of the project and prayed for the relationship between RMRDC and ABSU would continue to flourish. RMRDC collaborated with ABSU to execute the project.
Similarly, the Assistant Director and Abia State Coordinator of RMRDC, Mrs C. G Orji Nnorom, also thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the university management for their consistent support at every stage of the project till it was completed.
Earlier while receiving the RMRDC team in his office, ABSU Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor Onyemachi M. Ogbulu, on behalf of the authorities, staff and students of the University, thanked his guests for citing the project in ABSU.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the project would expand the core mandate of the University in the areas of teaching, research, and community service, assuring of his administration’s commitment to ensuring full realization of the objectives for establishing the project, for the mutual benefits of both Institutions.
Prof. Ogbulu appreciated the education-friendly Governor and Visitor to the University, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, for his tremendous support to the University, especially in terms of assisting it in providing conducive learning environment that attracts local and International collaborations to the Institution.
ABSU’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Academic, Professor Godwin Emezue, while giving the Vote of Thanks at the project site, expressed gratitude to the RMRDC for nurturing the project from the beginning with all the attendant challenges to the present stage of commissioning and urged them to continue to be a reliable partner at all times.
Highlight of the unique event was the cutting of tape and inauguration of the project by the representative of the RMRDC Director-General represented by Dr Olugbemi, in company of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ogbulu, entire members of management, representative of the Hon. Commissioner for Science and Technology, the RMRDC team, among others.