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Reps Pass For Second Reading Bill To Enhance Rural Agricultural Innovation
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By Glori Ikibah
The House of Representatives has passed through second reading, a bill seeking to amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, by expanding its mandate to establish specialised training institutions across the country to deepen national agricultural productivity capacity.
The piece of legislation is titled, ” A Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to Provide for the Establishment of Certain Specialised Colleges; and for Other Related Matters”, was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu and six others.
Leading the debate on the general principles, on Wednesday at plenary, Rep. Kalu restated that agriculture remains a vital part of Nigeria’s economy and a key driver of rural development, job creation, food security, and national GDP.
According to him, Nigeria continues to face glaring gaps in research and innovation, especially in regions where unique agricultural potential remains untapped due to the absence of tailored educational institutions.
That is what this bill seeks address, by bridging this gap. He explained that the amendment will not simply be adding institutions, but will serve as an investment in untapped potential, and empowerment of those whose hands feed the nation.
Kalu is hopeful that when the bill is signed into law, it will lead to stronger agricultural research ecosystem; more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for Nigerians; greater food security and overall economic growth.
He said: “this is not merely to introduce a legislative proposal, but to lay before this Peoples House a vision to take agricultural education into the fabric of our national development strategy and effort. A vision that recognises that research and innovation must not remain in silos or city centres, but must live where the land is tilled, where the livestock roam, where the rivers run.
“Through this amendment, we are not simply adding institutions — we are answering a national call -a call to invest where there is untapped potential, to empower those whose hands feed the nation, and to deepen our national agricultural productivity capacity by expanding the mandate and reach of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria through the establishment of specialised training institutions in various parts of our great nation by establishing certain specialised agricultural colleges in strategic locations across the six geo-political zones.
“This bill which comprises three clauses principally seeks to amend the Third Schedule of the Principal Act to provide for the establishment of the following specialized colleges of agriculture – (a) Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Bende, Abia State; (b} Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Takum, Adamawa State.
“(c) Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti State; (d) Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State; (e) Federal College of Anima} Health and Production Technology, Dange Shuni, Sokoto State; (f} Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Olamaboro, Kogi State.”
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE, OPEP, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, have arrested a suspected kidnapper linked to the abduction of a resident in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
This was contained in a statement posted on X by the Nigerian Army.
The post identified the suspect as Buba Ali, 30, adding that he was arrested at about 12:45 pm on Sunday, August 9, at Binawa village in Kauru Local Government Area.
According to post, the suspect was arrested during a joint operation conducted by troops of Sector 7 OPEP and members of the CJTF.
It said the suspect was reportedly linked to the kidnapping of Alhaji Tasi, who was abducted in the village.
“Following his arrest, Ali was taken into custody and is currently being interrogated by security personnel.
“The ongoing investigation is focused on obtaining information that could lead to the identification and arrest of other members of the suspected kidnapping gang,” the Army said.
Nigerian ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has rejected claims by an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, that Nigeria is a Muslim country.
In a viral video, Sheikh Jingir, who was preaching to Muslims at an event, said “if you don’t want to accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket, you should leave Nigeria because it belongs to us”.
The comment has continued to generate backlash online as Christians rejected the claim.
Reacting, Fani-kayode in a statement posted on his official X handle on Sunday night, said the cleric’s remark is unhelpful and untrue.
“Worse of all is the fact that it is highly provocative,” the former aviation minister said.
“Kindly take note that it is a very slippery and dangerous slope to take and is best avoided. Nigeria is NOT a Muslim country and neither is she a Christian country.
“She is a SECULAR and MULTI-RELIGIOUS state comprising BOTH Christians and Muslims in equal numbers and that is our strength,” FFK added.
He further stated that President Bola Tinubu’s Muslim/Muslim ticket for 2027 is gaining acceptance “only because of the calibre, ability, sincerity of purpose, character, utility and electoral strength of our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and their ability to deliver and not because they are Muslims”.
“One day we may have a Christian/Christian ticket too because with God all things are possible,” he added.
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the release of the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Moyowa Adejoorin, who was arrested in connection with a shooting incident at an All Progressives Congress, APC, rally in Ilesa.
The incident occurred on Saturday and reportedly left four people injured, including a teenager identified as Tobi Ilesanmi.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was taken into custody after police officers arrived at the scene, secured the area and began collecting evidence.
According to Ojelabi, the commissioner’s vehicle was stopped at the location, where an Amotekun operative allegedly linked to the shooting was also found.
“Immediately the incident was reported, our personnel moved to the scene and cordoned off the area before some exhibits were recovered, which included expended cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps.
“Also, Mr Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and taken to the command for questioning as part of the investigation process,” Ojelabi said.
The development came amid heightened attention to the incident after a video circulated on social media on Sunday showing Adejoorin leaving the police command.
Confirming the development, Ojelabi told Vanguard that the commissioner had been released on bail but said he was still awaiting clarification on the status of the Amotekun operative who was arrested alongside him.
“It is true that the commissioner has been released on bail today, but I am yet to clear the situation with the Amotekun personnel arrested with him,” he said.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting are ongoing.
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