A’Ibom’s agro-preneur to speak at nutrition summit in Paris
The Chief Executive Officer of Iyene Agro Processing Factory, Blessing Akpan, has been invited to speak at the Nutrition for Growth 2025 Summit scheduled to be held between 27th and 28th March 2025 in Paris.
The factory, a leading agricultural company in Nigeria, announced this in a statement issued by its Technical Director, Engr Joseph Akpan, in Uyo, on Tuesday.
Akpan, an expert in agricultural entrepreneurship and nutrition born in Akwa Ibom State, will deliver an address on ‘Sustainable Agriculture and Nutrition Security in Africa’ at the summit.
The statement added that Akpan’s presentation will highlight the importance of sustainable agricultural practices in ensuring nutrition security, particularly in African countries.
This year’s conference, the statement added, will focus on innovative solutions for sustainable nutrition and food systems.
It further stated that nutrition relates directly to the achievement of SDG2 and SDG3 and impacts the realization of 11 out of 17 SDGs.
It added, “It is at the core of intertwined issues such as health, universal health coverage, food systems, humanitarian affairs, climate change, biodiversity and soil health, gender equality and many more.
“We are thrilled that Blessing Akpan will be representing Inyene Agro Processing Factory, Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at this global forum.
“Her expertise and passion for sustainable agriculture and nutrition make her an ideal speaker for this conference.
“Her participation in this conference will provide a platform for her to share her knowledge and experiences with a global audience while also promoting Inyene Agro’s innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture and nutrition security.”
The statement further added that the world is not on track to meet the WHO targets on nutrition, adding that 2025 will be a pivotal year marking the end of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition, which should not mean the end of our endeavours to grapple with malnutrition.
It said, “Malnutrition has adverse health, social and economic consequences, impacting individuals, families, communities and countries. A third of the world’s population is affected by malnutrition, and many nations suffer from all three forms of malnutrition – under-nutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight/obesity – a scourge known as the “triple burden.”
Akpan is a sought-after Akwa Ibom daughter who is disrupting the global food system. She is currently a member of the International Advisory Group on Nutrition for Growth Summit 2025, where all UN agencies and world leaders are gathered to set the pace on winning the war against malnutrition in all its forms, putting strategies in place to achieve world food security by 2030.
She said, “I feel humbled to know how far we have come with Inyene Agro cassava flakes brand, a.k.a ‘Garri wey go Harvard,’ from an idea to an initial investment of N14,000, having our first modular facility setup in Oniong-Iman village in Etinan Local Government Area if Akwa Ibom, to being sought-after and invited by the government of France as an International Advisory Group member on Nutrition for Growth Summit 2025.”
Akpan is also the Scale-Up-Nutrition Business Network and is the South-South Deputy Hub Lead.
In recognition of her exploits, she won the Akwa Ibom State government’s Community Service Award, a Tony Elumelu Foundation grant, a World Bank grant, and a Google Hustle Academy grant.
Her research works in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, and partnering with Germany-born Dr Collins makes headway on resilient rules and their effect on climate change.
