President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged universities of agriculture to bridge the gap of food insecurity and address the nation’s dependence on imported foods.
He said the specialised universities must play their crucial role in catalysing the development of the agricultural sector to help Federal Government achieve its goal of the sustainable green economy.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari said this on Saturday, at the 10th Convocation ceremony of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Abia.
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The president, the visitor to the university, was represented by Dr Mohammed Abubakar, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, who said the government was looking up to the universities as lead drivers of the agricultural sector.
Buhari, who admitted that Nigeria is currently facing funding challenges, said that its endowments were far more significant than constraints.
MOUAU Chancellor, HRH Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, commended President Buhari and the university management for the smooth running of the institution.
Abubakar, the Emir of Gombe, congratulated the graduands and urged them to be university ambassadors anytime.
He commended the university host communities for their cooperation and called on relevant government agencies to extend helping hands in alleviating problems hindering the fast development of the school.
Earlier in his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, disclosed that the university was graduating a total of 6,606 students, with 4,115 belonging to the 2018/2019 academic year at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Iwe, who is the sixth vice-chancellor, in his breakdown, said 5,817 obtained bachelor’s degree, 92 with postgraduate diploma, 454 had master’s degrees, while 243 were awarded doctoral degrees.
“Out of the 5,817 first degree graduands, 92 obtained first-class honours,1775 with second class honours upper-division, 2,905 had a second class honours lower division, 1226 with third class and 18 with pass,” he said.
Iwe said the university had recorded many breakthroughs but called for a significant infusion of funds to upgrade its physical environment.
NAN reports that the university conferred honorary degrees on four distinguished Nigerians to recognise their positive contributions to society.
The awardees are : Oba Akeem Ogungbangbe, the Ajagbusi-Ekun VI Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa, Osun; Alhaji Usman Kansila, Founder, UYK Nigeria; Dr Cosmas Maduka, Founder and Chairman of Coscharis Group and Mr Chika Ikenga, Founder and Managing Director of Eunisell.
(NAN)
