LASU Centre of Excellence for Sargassum Research,Fisheries Department to partner with Fisheries Society of Nigeria
If all things work according to plan, a tripartite partnership will soon be signed by the Centre of Excellence for Sargassum Research (CESAR), Fisheries Department both in LASU and the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON). This was made known by Emeritus Professor Martins Anetekhai immediate past Director of CESAR at the meeting with the representatives of Fisheries Society of Nigeria held on Thursday, 18th July, 2024 at the Centre of Excellence for Sagassum Research, Office, Admin Block 2 Car park Area.
Emeritus Professor Anetekhai, while welcoming the FISON visitors to the Centre, went down memory lane to explain how the centre came about the Research Centre. He said the quest to solve the menace sargassum was constituting fishing, transportation etc at the sea led to the proposal to the Lagos State Government to carry out research and subsequent approval to fund the research and creation of the Centre of Excellence for Sargassum and Research by the Lagos State Government at the Lagos State University.
He said the fund provided by the Lagos State Government had assisted in carrying out research on Sargassum, which had drastically reduced the menace of sargassum at the sea beaches of Badagry and it’s environs. He said the Centre had recorded research breakthroughs by winning the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology Research Innovation, 2023 Abuja Expo tertiary education categories with the exhibition of it’s animal research feeds made from sargassum which includes; saga – rabbit, saga – fish, saga – pig, saga – grasscutter and saga – chicken feeds. He said the products had gotten trademarks and presently awaiting patenting, which is being expected any time soon.
Emeritus Professor Anetekhai emphasized the need to partner with the Fisheries Society of Nigeria in order to take the aqual culture farming to another level with sargassum. He said there are several areas to exploit together in this partnership, which will be beneficial to the parties involved.
The President Fisheries Society of Nigeria, Dr. Ebinimi Ansa in her speech said she heard about the Centre at the last workshop organised by the Centre, which made her to be more inquisitive on sargassum and also requested one of her project students to carry out her research on sargassum which she gladly did.
The President, who was highly impressed with the centre, said, “this centre has already started running even before it started to be functional and we are really appreciative of that fact so the collaboration is something that we at FISON is looking forward to and we accept it wholeheartedly and we know that there are so many things we can derive from this partnership if we work with you.”
Speaking further, she said “l really appreciate this creativity and innovation and am happy that you are not waiting for the products to go viral before you do your trademarks and patenting”
In her conclusion, Dr. Ansa commended the centre for its innovative ideas and for coming up with these very valuable products that can take the fisheries sector to a very high level because the centre had created the products that can be used in the fisheries and livestocks sectors which can cushion the effects of cost of feeds the farmers are currently experiencing in the country. She thanked the Centre for adding value to the acqualculture sector and for the warm reception received even at a very short notice. The FISON President Dr. Ebinimi Ansa was accompanied during the visit by the Vice President, Dr. Lekan Oguntade, who also commended the Centre for the very impactful research breakthroughs which he had seen at the Centre that has endeared him to favourably dispose to the collaboration.
Prof. Tosin Adu, who stood in for the Director of CESAR, Prof. Benjamin Aribisala gave the vote of thanks.
Present at the brief meeting are the HOD Fisheries Department Prof. Abiodun Abayomi Jimoh, CESAR Academic Secretary, Dr. Gbenisola Shaibu, Head CESAR Fisheries Group Prof. Clark, Prof Adewolu and Dr, Afolalu Awe from Fisheries Department, CESAR Administrative Secretary Mr Olatunde Shefiu, Admin. Staff CESAR Mrs Victoria Olatunji and the Media Officer CESAR, Mr Ademola Adekoya.
