The Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics held its first Industry Breakfast Meeting on February 14, 2017 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
The event titled ‘The Need for Sound Ethical Practice in Nigeria’s Agricultural Value Chain’ hosted participants from the Agribusiness sector. The aim of the breakfast meeting was to explore and review ethical challenges in the Nigerian agricultural sector, the sufficiency or otherwise of extant policies and laws, and a review of governmental and non-governmental reforms in the sector, with a view to proffering solutions and suggesting policy directions towards the resolution of such challenges.
The meeting was kicked off by Emmanuel Ijewere, Chairman, Best Foods Limited and the coordinator of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NAGB) who talked about the ingress of unethical and corrupt practices into the agricultural sector through the involvement of government and village heads. He also noted the recent efforts towards tackling the unethical practices, and advised that government should adopt food produce as a national asset so as to inhibit difficulties in delivery of agricultural produce.
Another panelist, Mr. Segun Adebanji spoke about the engagement of the private sector especially Nigerian Breweries as players in the agricultural sector and their efforts to ensure that the actors in the agricultural value chain are encouraged to engage in ethical conducts while the 3rd panelist Dr. Ikechukwu Kelikume wrapped up the different views by pointing out the unwholesome effects of the unethical practices of players in the agricultural value chain, on the environment and on human health. There was also an inter-panel discussion and a Q&A session followed by a vote of thanks by the CRLE Director, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi and a closing remark by the moderator, Chidi Anosike.
