In Nigeria, the second International Fascination of plants Day (FoPD) was celebrated at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) on Monday 20th May 2013. It was organised by a team of volunteers (staff and students) who gave their time, skills and facilities. Operational costs were offset by cash donations from Cassava Adding Value (C. AVA) Project and the Estate of Chief. I. F. Aiyelaagbe.

1. Second International
20th
May 2013 Nigeria
In Nigeria, the second International Fascination of plants Day (FoPD) was celebrated at the
Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) on Monday 20th
May 2013. It was
organised by a team of volunteers (staff and students) who gave their time, skills and
facilities. Operational costs were offset by cash donations from Cassava Adding Value (C.
AVA) Project and the Estate of Chief. I. F. Aiyelaagbe.
The event was attended by 250 participants including scientists, farmers, teachers,
nurserymen, students and pupils. Some of the dignitaries who attended were Prof. O. B.
Oyewole Vice- Chancellor FUNAAB and his Management team, Programme Manager Ogun
State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP), Mr. I. A. Onasanya, the
representative of the Ogun Sate Ministry of Forestry ( ) and ASP Awwal, represenstaitive of
the Nigeria Police. The Opening Ceremony chaired by the Programme Manager OGADEP,
featured a Welcome Address delivered by the Vice Chancellor, the programme overview By
the Coordinator of the event Prof. I. O. O. Aiyelaagbe and delivery of four lead papers
papers titled ‘Plants and the phenomenon of hidden hunger’, ‘Benefits of Moringa oleifera
Lam: value addition and products for sustainable livelihood’, ‘Plants R us’ and ‘Jatropha
business Project’. These were delivered by Prof. S.A. Oluwalana (FUNAAB), Dr. M. O.
Oyatogun (FUNAAB), Mrs. Deni Bown (IITA) and Mr. O. Akinola (Sotoria Xexus Int’l Limited),
respectively.
The Opening Ceremony was followed by a ‘See and buy’ exhibition of more than 1000
plants. The diversity of plants covered food, spices, medicinal plants, dye plants, trees,
ornamentals and endangered indigenous plants. It was a unique opportunity for the public
to learn more about the diversity, value and virtue of plants. There was also time for
business as possibilities of partnerships between farmers and processors, farmers and
scientists and processors and scientists were discussed by the interest groups. An estimated
300 plants were sold. The event was adjudged a success in a post event evaluation
conducted. More than 65% of the participants planned to attend the 3rd
International
Fascination of Plants Day if given ample notice. The Local Organising Committee noted this
and plans to work hard to improve on planning and publicity of the event.

2. Acknowledgement
The Coordinator is grateful to the ESPO for coordinating the event globally, to the Vice-
Chancellor FUNAAB for permission to host the event, members of the LOC for their tireless
efforts to ensure the success of the event, The Dean Postgraduate School for granting
permission to use its premises gratis, the Directorate of Environmental Management for
warehousing exhibits and providing transport, Agricultural Media Resources Centre
(AMREC) for media coverage disseminating the events to farmers and relevant government
agencies the Directorate of Public Relations for anchoring the event and providing media
coverage and to the C.AVA Project and Estate of Chief I.F. Aiyelaagbe for cash donations to
defray operational expenses