2023 Ijakadi Festival: FEDPOFFA Showcases Potato-Made Confectioneries At Anomo Economic Fair

• Olofa of Offa Calls For Commercialization Of Products

The Olofa of Offa, Oba Muhammad Mufutau Gbadamosi Okikiola Ajagungbade l Esuwoye ll has called on the Management of the Federal Polytechnic Offa Kwara to expedite efforts on the commercialization of sweet potato confectioneries made by the Polytechnic Researchers.

Kabiesi disclosed this during the inspection of the products at the Anomo Economic Fair, a segment of the Ijakadi festival held on Friday 29, 2023 at Offa Descendants’ Union Hall.

The Paramount Ruler of Ibolo Kingdom also noted that the potato which the Community is known for should be well established in Offa. He added that the community is fully ready to support researchers who want to go into potato cultivation and processing with the assistance of Bank of Industry.

The Anomo Fair Exhibition featured presentations by Head of Department of Food Technology, Mrs. Temitope Israel and a Senior Lecturer from Food Technology Mrs. Basirat Sumonu on planting, processing, categories and nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes. The presentation equally encapsulates the conversion of sweet potatoes into a variety of confectioneries for commercialization.

Also speaking, the Aare Bobagunwa of Offa, Aare Waheed Olagunju, commended the Rector of the Polytechnic, Engr. Dr. Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin and his Management team for active participation of the Institution at Anomo Economic Trade Fair segment of 2023 Ijakadi Festival.

Representing the Rector, the Deputy Rector Academics, Dr. Mrs. Mulikat Bola Aliyu appreciated Olofa of Offa for his fatherly role to ensure the Polytechnic stand tall on Potato Research and Commercialization. Dr. Mrs. Aliyu noted that the Management of the Polytechnic led by Engr. Dr. Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin FNSE is working assiduously to ensure potatoe research into confectioneries is well projected to the outside world.

According to her, “The Federal Polytechnic is the first higher institution to make Potato Research into confectioneries which attracted Bill Gate Grant. Recently, the Rector, Engr. Dr. Kadiri with some Researchers in the Polytechnic visited RMDC, NOTAP and NBTE to revive the Potatoe Research and get support from the relevant agencies. The Management is working assiduously to make sure what Offa is known for which is sweet potato is further projected to the world.”

The potato-made confectioneries displayed at the economic fair are Bread, Cake, Chin-chin, chops, and snacks.

Also present were: Ag. Director of Works and Services, Engr. Lateef Bello; Head of Department of Biological Science, Prince Nurudeen Olanipekun; Public Relations and Protocols Units among others.