Senate gives quick consideration to Federal University of Agric, Tropical Studies

A bill seeking for the establishment of Federal University of Agriculture and Tropical Studies in Iragbiji, Osun State, was Wednesday given expeditious consideration by the Senate.

Being an Executive Bill put into legislative process by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, it scaled through first and second reading, along with five other ones, in less than one hour.

In his lead debate on the bill, Senator Bamidele said the proposed institution is a bold step towards, not only addressing the educational needs of the populace but also serve as training ground for the development of agriculturalists in the country.

“Agriculture with its allied sectors is unquestionably the largest livelihood provider more also in the rural areas and can contribute significantly to the GDP, ” he said.

The proposed university, according to him, will provide the holistic development of agriculture and tropical studies, knowledge skills and the telescopic vision on the future that will help them contribute to accelerated agricultural growth rate and enhance farmers income and generate employment in the sector.

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He listed objectives for which the university is established to include the advancement of learning, and acquiring of tertiary education in agriculture and tropical studies, among others.

He said it would provide and promote sound basic scientific training as a foundation for the development of agriculture and tropical studies in Nigeria, taking into account indigenous cultures and the need to enhance national unity.

“One noticeable feature in the development of universities in Nigeria is the emergence of specialised universities.

“Most of these focus on science and technology; hence the need to establish the Federal University of Agriculture and Tropical Studies, Iragbiji, Osun State to increase the number of agricultural universities.

“This will help the back-to-land policy of the federal government to ensure the diversification of our national economy.

“Agriculture is key and the drivers of these to me are products from the universities of Agriculture. I, therefore, advocate for the establishment of more universities of Agriculture and Tropical studies across the country,” he said.

The Senate, accordingly, after the lead debate, passed it for second reading and mandated its Committee on Tertiary Education and TETfund, to conduct public hearing and report back in two weeks