Reps to hold public hearing on Federal Agric varsity, Ute-Okpu bill, others

Delta State is to get a federal university of agriculture as the House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions holds a public hearing on some bills that seek to establish new institutions in the sector on Monday.

The House had mandated the Committee, chaired by Hon. Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi, to consider nine bills, which seek to establish new agricultural universities, colleges and institutes across the country.

One of the bills is 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.’

The Bill, sponsored by Hon. Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the House, was first introduced on the floor of the House on July 13, 2023. It passed second reading on November 10, 2023 after it was unanimously adopted by members of the House at plenary.

Hon. Agbese had during the debate on the Bill 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 overemphasized. 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.”

Other bills to be considered by the Committee during the public hearing on Monday are: 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.

Others 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.

At the end of its assignment, the committee is expected to submit its report to the House for consideration.