Maize is a cross cultural delicacy around the globe. It is enjoyed in a variety of ways as a healthy source of vitamins and fibre. In Nigeria, it is either cooked or roasted in open fire and enjoyed with hot African pears or fried with sugar or salt in hot ovens as pop corns and enjoyed with chilled non alcoholic beverage.
In the agro processing and allied industry, maize is a major raw material in the production of corn starch, corn flour, corn syrup, and other extracts for the pharmaceutical industry.
Maize farming is a lucrative venture with a short turn around cycle. The planting, harvesting and sales of maize is usually completed within a quarter. The challenge of the farmers is that maize farming is seasonal, worse it is the delicacy of insects and pests. Pesticides and insecticides are carcinogens or simply put, cancer causing agents and unhealthy for use in farming or preservation of farm produce.
To beat this challenge, the hon minister of science and technology, and the chief innovator of Nigeria, Chief Uche Nnaji NWAKIBIE, set the ball rolling for a collaboration of efforts by various research agencies and institutes under his supervision with a mandate, INNOVATE AGRICULTURE FOR FOOD SECURITY AND JOB CREATION IN NIGERIA.
To achieve this feat, the honorable minister ensured a high level of motivation of staff by providing work incentives, new research tools, modern laboratory equipment and high end computers and communication gadgets for research data exchange.
The first among the long list of science breakthroughs and technology innovation successes achieved on the appointment of Chief Uche Nnaji NWAKIBIE as honorable minister of innovation, science and technology is the TELA MAIZE. Tela maize is drought resistant and insect resistant. This means an ALL SEASON maize production without the need for insecticides. Simply put, you will have fresh corn even in dry season.. Hurray. This is a major innovation and break through in bio technology.
Science is life. The purpose of science is not to speak, long cryptic and intimidating grammar that is likened to speaking in tongues in pentecostal charismatic circles but the creation of affordable , effective solutions to human needs. Science and technology creates automation for mundane tasks and makes life better, easier and even longer.
Chief Uche Nnaji NWAKIBIE challenged the staff of various research institutes, agencies, and parastatals under his ministry to use their skills to create viable solutions in various sectors of human endeavor to improve Nig economy. He said that marketability of science projects is key to partnership and commercialization.
As the chief innovator of Nigeria, Chief Uche Nnaji NWAKIBIE promised farmers and captains of agro allied industries of many additional innovations that will be unveiled soon.
Chief Uche Nnaji NWAKIBIE promised a reduction in capital flight through commercialization of many research works. This means Jobs, jobs and jobs as investors from Europe, Asia and USA seek partnerships with Nigeria to build industries.
Thank you for TELA MAIZE. This means the emergence of many new brands of corn based cereals from local companies and many other foods and products. For those seeking healthy food, corn meal is a good suggestion.
The honorable minister also promised Science and technology symposiums at various states to stimulate growth of locally produced equipment and products.
Science is life. His Lordship, Bishop Chinedu Nwoye had extended discussion with the honorable minister for a partnership with the faith community to obtain seedlings of TELA MAIZE so that churches with rural missions and outreaches and pastors can develop commercial maize farms as a means of job creation and poverty reduction
Bishop Chinedu Nwoye
