NEWS RELEASE

BSU APPOINTS COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER FOR CEFTER

The Vice Chancellor, Benue State University, Professor Tor Joe Iorapuu has approved the appointment of Dr. Benjamin Ejuwa Ogbu as Communications Officer of the Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Benue State University, Makurdi for a period of two (2) years with effect from 13^th September, 2023.

The new CEFTER Communications Officer, Dr. Ogbu who is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University, Makurdi will lead Corporate Communications team, drive the CEFTER penetration, strategic communications initiatives and stakeholder management. He is a member of reputable bodies including, Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), International Communication Association, African Chapter (ICA, Africa), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) among others.

The CEFTER Leader, Dr. Barnabas Achakpa Ikyo expresses delight on his inclusion in the team and enjoins Dr. Ogbu to use his wealth of experience in public communication to enhance the growth and development of the Centre. The Centre Leader also enjoins CEFTER Management and staff to support the new Communications Officer to enable him make valuable contributions to the project.

Signed:

Management

The Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) has selected a number of eleven (11) startup innovators to benefit from their startup grant scheme. The selection was done through two competitive processes. The innovators will receive both technical and financial support within the next three months to upscale their products. They were awarded the sum of Six Hundred thousand Naira each (#600,000) by the Vice Chancellor on Thursday 18^th May 2023 at the Benue State University Senate Chambers.

The first ten (10) beneficiaries were selected through the “Agro Hack Challenge”. This program was done in partnership with the UNDP (Through the Benue Agribusiness Innovation Hub – BAI Hub) and the First City Monument Bank (FCMB). The Challenge pulled over one thousand applications from all over Nigeria with solutions that were centered on controlling food loss, food processing, fabrication of equipment and promoting globally recognized agricultural processes.

The additional one (1) Startup innovator was a result of a strict competition judged by a startup committee that was made up of experts in Entrepreneurship and innovation.

The selected startups are currently undergoing a three (3) months incubation (booth camp) during which they will interact with experts in different fields for technical support and undergo some training on market research, product development, testing and validation, business model canvas, business competency, financial modelling, legalities, team and leadership development, and innovator business branding.