The Centre Leader of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS), Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Hussaini Anthony Makun has called on innovators attending Innovation Week 2024 to create businesses that generate employment and stimulate the Nigerian economy.
Prof. Makun made this appeal while declaring open the Innovation Week 2024 organized by ACEMFS in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship Centre, of the University. The event with the theme, ‘Food Safety Innovate 360- Navigate the Future’, held on Monday, 24th June, 2024 at the Entrepreneurship Centre, Main Campus.
Represented by the Deputy Centre Leader, ACEMFS , Prof. Hadiza Lami Muhammad, Prof. Makun welcomed participants and highlighted the Centre’s mission to support entrepreneurs with business ideas and seed grants to foster economic growth. He emphasized that the Centre, sponsored by the World Bank, trains master’s and Ph.D. students and aims to achieve a Disbursement Linked Indicator (DLI) 5.3. He also noted the program’s commitment to 30% female participation.
Earlier, the Director of the Entrepreneurship Centre, Prof. Caroline Alenoghena, expressed confidence in the participants’ ability to generate and showcase innovative ideas. She encouraged attendees to be open-minded, receptive to learning, and actively engaged in brainstorming sessions. “If you have an idea that needs to be developed, don’t hesitate to express yourselves freely,” she advised.
Prof. Alenoghena also emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnerships, urging participants to work together to bring their visions to life.
Also present at the opening ceremony were: The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, ACEMFS, Dr. Helen Shnada Auda, Mrs. Lydia Legbo and the Entrepreneurship Centre Secretary, Mal. Danjuma Mohammed.