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Reps hold public hearing on new agric varsities today
The House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions will today (Monday) hold a public hearing on bills seeking the establishment of federal universities and colleges of agriculture in some states of the country.
The committee will deliberate on “A Bill for an Act to establish Federal University of Agriculture, Ute-Okpu, Delta State; A Bill for an Act to establish Federal University of Agriculture, Fiditi, Oyo State; a Bill for an Act to establish Federal University of Agriculture, Ako, Nike, Enugu State, and a Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Agriculture, Ise, Ekiti State.
On the list are “A Bill for an Act to establish Federal College of Agriculture, Misau, Bauchi State; a Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Agriculture, Agila, Benue State; a Bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Agriculture and Vocational Studies, Ako-Nike, Enugu State; a Bill for an Act to Establish Agricultural and Energy Technical Institute, Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State, and a Bill for an Act to Establish the National Institute for Oil Palm Research, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State.”
It will be recalled that the House had mandated the committee, chaired by Akeem Adeyemi, to consider nine bills seeking the establishment of new agricultural universities, colleges and institutes across the country.
One of the proposed legislation, titled, “A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal University of Agriculture, Ute-Okpu, Delta State, to make comprehensive provisions for its due management and administration; and for related matters,” was sponsored by the deputy spokesman for the House, Philip Agbese.
It was first introduced on the floor on July 13, 2023.
The bill, thereafter, passed a second reading on November 10, 2023, after it was unanimously adopted by members of the House at plenary.
Agbese, who represents Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency, Benue State, while leading the debate on the bill’s general principles, said, “Nations are returning to the farm to boost their economy.
“In our darling country, petroleum can no longer sustain us. If agriculture is the way forward, the focus should be on establishing world-class learning institutions.
“The potential benefit of this proposed institution can never be overemphasised. Over 90 per cent of the people of Ute-Okpu and neighbouring communities are farmers, hence the need to promote and enlighten them and Nigerians on current best practices.
“The Federal University of Agriculture Ute-Okpu, Delta State, when established, will conduct education, research, and environmental monitoring and assessment in collaboration with other world-class institutions.”
The committee is expected to submit a report to the House for consideration ahead of a third reading, passage and transmission to the Senate for concurrence.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s family residence in Kogi was reportedy invaded by gunmen around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16, leaving damaged windows but no injuries.
The incident happened at her hometown residence in Obeiba-Ihima, located in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Sources familiar with the event said the attackers arrived around 1:00 a.m. Armed with cutlasses and guns, they damaged parts of the building, smashing windows and causing panic in the area. At least three men were involved in the attack.
Senator Natasha’s Chief Security Officer, Yakubu Ovanja, quickly informed the appropriate security agencies.
In response, officers from the Okehi Police Division rushed to the scene.
Although nobody was hurt and no suspects have been arrested yet, security officials recorded the extent of the damage and launched a preliminary investigation.
The reason behind the attack is still unknown, and as of now, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not released any official statement. She represents Kogi Central in the Senate and is known as a vocal figure in Nigerian politics.
According to Zagazola Makama, police are still trying to figure out what motivated the attackers and are working to find those responsible.
The communities came under simultaneous attacks just a day after the killing of 11 persons at Otobi Community also in Otukpo LGA.
Benue has in the past decade experienced incessant attacks.
Suspected herdsmen have again stepped up violent attacks as no fewer than three communities in the Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State were attacked on Wednesday.
The communities affected during the fresh attacks include Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju all in Otukpo where five persons were killed in February. The communities came under simultaneous attacks just a day after the killing of 11 persons at Otobi Community also in Otukpo LGA.
Local sources confirm that several people may have been feared dead again in the fresh attack.
Wednesday’s attack came hours after Governor Hyacinth Alia confirmed the arrest of three suspected herders in connection with the invasion of Otobi village on Tuesday night.
When contacted, Otukpo LGA Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attack on the three communities, saying that the attackers stormed the communities at the time when the Commissioner of Police was still at the Ochidoma Palace over the previous day’s attack on Otobi.
He added that three people sustained injury in the attacks on the three communities, leading to women and children abandoning the communities for fear of being killed.
“Only young men were in the communities when the attackers arrived. The prompt response from combined security operatives made the attackers flee and none of them were arrested,” Ogiri stated.
The police spokesperson in the state, Sewuese Anene, was yet to confirm details of the attacks on the three communities.
The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has hailed the Northern Traditional Rulers for taking bold steps on the menacing security challenges in the region and in the country.
Obi, who was reacting to the ‘Enough is Enough’ declaration of the royal fathers on the security situation, said that their courageous steps are needed to find a lasting solution to the menace.
Writing on his X handle, Obi said “I would like to sincerely thank the Northern Traditional Rulers for their courageous and timely emergency declaration of the security situation in the region. I cannot agree less with them that “Enough is Enough” regarding the persistent killings and insecurity plaguing our nation.
“Their collective voice, as reported, underscores the urgent need for decisive action to protect lives and restore peace in our communities.
“I urge governments at all levels to work closely with these royal fathers who are closest to the people at the grassroots. Their commitment to addressing these challenges and offering counsel to regional governors reflects true leadership and a deep concern for the well-being of their communities.
“The stance of the Northern Traditional Rulers serves as a clarion call to all stakeholders. We must unite, irrespective of political affiliations, to implement lasting solutions that address the root causes of our nation’s challenges.
“Let us work together to build a Nigeria where every citizen feels safe, valued, and empowered.
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