FIIRO expresses readiness to partner technologists for food security

The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) has expressed its readiness to work with the National Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE), Lagos State branch, to eliminate post-harvest food wastage.

Acting Director-General of FIIRO, Dr (Mrs) Yemisi Asagbra, expressed FIIRO’s readiness to deploy its human and material resources to assist NATE in realising its aspirations, especially in the areas of equipment design, fabrication, and training during a visit by NATE executive members recently.

She recalled the age-long working relationship with NATE that culminated in the design and fabrication of the rice destoning machines which came in handy at the early stages of local production of rice in the country.

She harped on working on the ‘All-in-One’ cassava processing equipment that would help in removing the drudgery of cassava processing being experienced by the rural processors.

The chairman of NATE in Lagos State, Mr Kayode Ibidapo, thanked FIIRO’s management for the assistance given to the association over the years.

He spoke of the association’s plans to train Nigerian youths on equipment fabrication and would like FIIRO to assist in making its machines, tools, and equipment available for the training.

He expressed confidence in FIIRO’s technical manpower that can serve as resource persons for the training programme. With this training, Ibidapo was of the view that many unemployed youths would have something to do.

Director Project Development and Design of FIIRO, Dr Bolanle Ashiru, spoke on the need to further work together as a team to improve on the rice destoning machine and the rice drier as initiated by FIIRO and NATE.