By KINGSLEY OKOYE

The Senate has passed for the second reading, a Bill for an Act to establish the Federal University of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State.

This follows the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Sen. Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC-Ondo).

Adegbonmire in his lead debate said the bill sought to upgrade the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, to a full-fledged Federal University of Agriculture.

He said the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, was established on Jan. 10, 1957, and occupied a total land space of approximately 1061.4 acres.

According to him, there are presently six federal universities of agriculture in Nigeria, which includes the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Ogun, established on Jan.1, 1988.

Others are Joseph Tarka University, Makurdi, formerly Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi in Benue, established on the Jan. 1, 1988.

He named the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, in Abia, established on Nov. 13, 1992 and the Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi, in Adamawa as one of them.

Also in the list are the Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, Kebbi State, established in Sept. 2020 and the Federal University of Agriculture, Bassam-Biri, Bayelsa, established in 2023.

According to him, Nigeria does not have enough federal universities of agriculture to train and educate persons on knowledge required to ensure that Nigeria is self-sufficient in food production.

Adegbonmire explained that this was due to the prevailing challenges faced in food production and the quest to improve same.

He said Nigeria still needed to train several personnel in modern methods of food production, adding that it was in the country?s best interest that the new institution be established.

?The bill seeks to upgrade the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, to a University of Agriculture.

?Section 2 of the proposed bill sets out the objectives of the proposed university, and I respectfully invite my distinguished colleagues to study same.

?The provisions of the bill are geared towards ensuring the realisation of the objectives of the bill as stated in its Section 2.

?The Federal College of Agriculture already has all of the facilities necessary for the establishment of the university,? he stressed.

Adegbonmire said the establishment of a university of agriculture in Akure would further ensure the provision of diverse opportunities for its citizens interested in boosting the country?s food production.

The senator said that the institution would enable such citizens to learn the most advanced methods of improving food production.

He appealed to his colleagues to support the second reading of the Bill.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, after the bill was read the second time, referred it to Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further legislative inputs.

He directed the committee to report back to plenary within four weeks. (NAN)

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