WAAFoST

WEST AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (WAAFoST)

PREAMBLE

The West African Association of Food Science and Technology (WAAFoST) was inaugurated and launched by Dr Aubrey Parsons, a Former President of South African Association of Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) and Governing Council member of IUFoST, during the 31st Annual General Meeting of NIFST, held in Abuja, Nigeria on October 23, 2007. Delegates at this meeting were drawn from the following West African countries, namely, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Republic of Benin, while Dr A. Parsons, a South African represented IUFoST.

ELECTED WAAFoST EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Election of the pioneer executive officers of WAAFoST was conducted by the delegates from Nigeria, Senegal, Benin, Ghana, South Africa and the Body of Fellows of NIFST on October 24, 2007, Abuja, Nigeria.

The following members were duty elected:

Prof. Moutairou Egounlety (Benin)—President

Mr Bola Osinowo (Nigeria)---Vice-President (Anglophone)

Dr Ndeye Fatou Ndiaye (Senegal)—Vice-President (Francophone)

Prof. Osaretin Albert T. Ebuehi (Nigeria)—Secretary General

Prof. Amani Georges (Cote d’Ivoire)—Deputy Secretary General

Mr Nana Sam Brew (Ghana) ----Treasurer

Current Presidents of the Associations of Food Science and Technology (AFST) from all member countries in West Africa---------Ex-Officio

OBJECTIVES OF WAAFoST

WAAFoST is a professional body representing Food Scientists and Technologists in West Africa. The specific objectives are as follows;

  1. To promote the development and application of science and technology to every aspect of food
  2. To disseminate knowledge among Food scientists and Technologists and allied Food professionals by organizing workshops, symposia, seminars and publications targeted towards focusing attention on food problems and associated government policies.
  3. To promote the establishment of Food Science and Technology Associations in all the West African countries

ACHIEVEMENTS

Since inception, WAAFoST has impacted, initiated, re-invigorated and pioneered the establishment of six new Food Science and Technology Associations in Six West African countries, these are:

  1. Beninese Association of Food Science & Technology (ABESTA),
  2. Association Ivoirienne des Sciences et Technologies des Aliments (AISTA)
  3. Togolese Association of Food Science & Technology ( ATFST)
  4. Association Guineen Pour La Science et Technologie (AGCTA)
  5. Senegal Association of Food Science & Technology (ASFST)
  6. Guinea Conakry Association of Food Science & Technology ( GCAFST)

WAAFoST has held 2 executive officers meetings at Dakar ,Senegal on June 25-27, 2008 and Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on July 1-3, 2009, were far reaching decisions were reached.

SPECIAL INVITATION

1ST WAAFoST CONGRESS - August 11 and 13, 2010

The 1st WAAFoST Congress and Scientific Meeting is scheduled to hold at NICON LUXURY, Abuja, Nigeria, (Plot 903 Tafawa Balewa Way, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria) between August 11 and 13, 2010.

The Theme is “Building Network for excellence in Food Science and Nutrition in West Africa”.

FLIGHTS

Participants are to note that there are direct international flights to Abuja and also several connections from Lagos Domestic Airport. Upon arrival at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, you must proceed to the Domestic Airport (About 10 min drive) for the flight to Abuja. The following airlines fly direct to Abuja: Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM, Arik Air, Virgin Nigeria (Nigerian Eagle Airlines), Delta, Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air, Euro Asia International, Aero, Northwest Airlines, Bellview.

VISAS

Nationals of virtually all countries require a visa to enter Nigeria (the few exceptions are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde. The Gambia, Ghana, guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo). Visas must be obtained in advance and all visitors require a return ticket, documents for onward travel and sufficient funds. Passports must be valid of at least six months upon arrival.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES

When traveling to Nigeria, an international vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required. A cholera vaccination certification is also required if coming from an infected area. As precaution against cholera, visitors should drink or use only boiled or bottled water. Anti-malaria prophylaxis are recommended. Visitors should seek the latest medical advice on inoculations at least three weeks prior to departure. In major cities, private hospitals and clinics offer good facilities.

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Abuja enjoys warm tropical climate with hot and humid weather all year round. Average monthly high temperatures in Abuja vary from 30 to 40 C, which could reduce during the wet season, which begins from April and ends in October. The daytime temperatures reach 28-30 C and nighttime is about 22-23 C.

TIME: GMT + 1

WORKING LANGAUGES

The working languages of the Congress will be English and French.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

The monetary unit of Nigeria is the Naira and the current approximate exchange rate is Naira 150 to US$1.00. Assistance with currency conversions can be found on the following website: http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic. Foreign currencies and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at banks, bureau de change, airports and major hotels in Nigeria at the official exchange rates. American express, Diners Club, Master and Visa cards are widely accepted in Nigeria. ATMs are widely available and International traveller’s cheque in Pounds Sterling, Euro and US Dollars are widely accepted.

ELECTRICITY

240 Volts, AC 50Hz. Round and square three-pin plugs are used.

BANKS

The banking hours are from 8.00am. 4.00pm from Monday to Friday. A few banks operate on Saturdays. The hotels have ATM facilities, which participants can use.

BUSINESS HOURS

8.00am - 4.00pm Monday to Friday for public offices and most private offices.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Adequate arrangements will be made for the safety and security of participants.

INDEMNITY

Participants are advised to make their own insurance arrangements.

ACCOMMODATION

There are many good hotels in Abuja that suit all cadres of guest. Prices range from $20 to $300/night. Hotels range from one-to-five-star. There are many discount hotels in Abuja and hostels, too.

ABUJA

Abuja is the capital city of the West African nation of Nigeria. It is located in the center of Nigeria in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Abuja is a planned city, and was built mainly in the 1980s. It officially became Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991, replacing Lagos, the previous capital. As of the 2006 census, the Federal Capital Territory has a population of 778,567. Abuja is divided into 6 districts , namely , Central District, Garki District Wuse District, Maitama District, Asokoro District and Gwarimpa District. Most countries relocated their embassies to Abuja, and many maintain their former embassies as consulates in Lagos, still the commercial capital of Nigeria. Abuja is the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS. It also has the regional headquarters of OPEC.

You are cordially invited.

For Further Information, please contact:

Prof. Osaretin Albert T. Ebuehi

WAAFoST Secretary General

c/o NIFST Secretariat

Federal Institute for Industrial Research (FIIRO),

P.O.Box 2, NITEL Training Centre

Cappa, Oshodi, Lagos State, Nigeria

Tel: 234-8033060620, 234-1-4749079

Email: ebuehi@yahoo.com, waafost@yahoo.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
Copyright © 2009, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology ,Works & Services Building, FIIRO, P.O. Box 2, NITEL Training Centre, Oshodi Lagos. Tel: (234)-1-8775253. All rights reserved.