President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged agricultural universities in the country to bridge the gap of food insecurity and reduce the country’s reliance on imported foods.
He stated that specialized universities must play a critical role in catalyzing the development of the agricultural sector in order to assist the Federal Government in achieving its goal of a sustainable green economy.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Buhari stated this on Saturday during the 10th Convocation ceremony of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) in Abia.
The president, who was represented at the university by Dr Mohammed Abubakar, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that the government sees universities as key drivers of the agricultural sector.
Buhari, who admitted that Nigeria is currently facing funding challenges, stated that the country’s endowments far outweighed the constraints.
MOUAU Chancellor, HRH Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, praised President Buhari and the university administration for the institution’s smooth operation.
The Emir of Gombe, Abubakar, congratulated the graduates and urged them to be ambassadors for the university at all times.
He praised the university’s host communities for their cooperation and urged relevant government agencies to lend a hand in resolving issues that are impeding the school’s rapid development.
Earlier in his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, stated that the university was graduating a total of 6,606 students, 4,115 of whom were undergraduate and postgraduate students for the 2018/2019 academic year.
In his breakdown, Iwe, the sixth vice-chancellor, stated that 5,817 received bachelor’s degrees, 92 received postgraduate diplomas, 454 received master’s degrees, and 243 received doctoral degrees.
“Of the 5,817 first-year graduates, 92 received first-class honours, 1775 received second-class honours upper division, 2,905 received second-class honours lower division, 1226 received third-class honours, and 18 received pass,” he said.
Iwe stated that the university had made many breakthroughs, but that it needed a significant infusion of funds to upgrade its physical environment.
According to NAN, the university bestowed honorary degrees on four distinguished Nigerians in recognition of their societal contributions.
Oba Akeem Ogungbangbe, 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 are the awardees.