Akwa Ibom state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has, today, March 8, declared open a regional workshop organized by the Directorate of Technical Cooperation In Africa (DTCA), Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the theme, "Harnessing Indigenous Technologies, Inventions and Innovations through Research & Development in the Agricultural Sector in the ECOWAS Sub-Region" holding at the conference room of Uranus hotel, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.

Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet, the Governor noted that the theme of the workshop was in line with the core mandate of his administration as demonstrated by his administration's Programmes and projects in the agricultural sector, including distribution of free farm inputs and interest-free loans to farmers, the regular hosting of capacity development workshops for farmers, the construction and cultivation of Vegetable Green Houses, massive cultivation of coconut as well as the establishment of cocoa fermentation and drying centre, rice mills, coconut oil factory amongst others.

Governor Emmanuel thanked the organizers of the event for their choice of Akwa Ibom state to host what he described as a timely event, and assured participants of a peaceful and hospitable atmosphere throughout their stay in the state.

"An in-depth look into the economies of most ECOWAS States points to the fact that we must rise to embrace indigenous technologies, innovations and invention in order to attain sustainable development", the Agriculture-friendly Governor added.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Director General, Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), Amb. Rabiu Dagari, Mni, explained that the DTCA which was established in September 2001 under the then Ministry of Cooperation and Integration in Africa is saddled with the mandate of promoting cooperation and integration to sustainable economic development of the continent.

He added that the ECOWAS Sub-Region is capable of galvanizing an atmosphere for the sustainable development of the continent by congregating strategic technical partnership/Cooperation among highly esteemed partners and stakeholders who are experts in their own rights through harnessing viable technological inventions, innovatons, research, and development for Agriculture Sector in the ECOWAS Sub-Region.

Goodwill messages were received from Amb. Benson Bana, Tanzania High Commission, Mrs. Christiana Goka, HOD, Research, Monintoring & Information Services (RMIS), DTCA, and others.