Senate President Akpabio declares open hearing on establishment of Federal University of Agriculture Iragbiji

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio says Nigeria needs to urgently recover its position as a leading nation in agricultural production in order to fully diversity from over dependence on oil.

Senator Akpabio spoke during the public hearing for a Bill to establish the Federal University of Agriculture and Tropical Studies, Iragbiji, Osun State organised by the Senate Committee on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges.

This was contained in a statement by Dr. Makut Simon Macham, Special Adviser (Media) to Senator Simon Lalong.

He said Nigeria has a long history of being a global destination for food production and agricultural programmes but such has been diminished by lack of proper attention to its development.

Akpabio commended the Committee on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges under the leadership of Senator Simon Bako Lalong for doing a wonderful job in handling the Bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bamidele Okpeyemi.

Chairman Senate Committee on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges, Simon Lalong said the essence of the public hearing is to get the input of the public, host communities, stakeholders and Nigerians on the bill.

He said the establishment of the institution will do a lot in assisting Nigeria deal with food insecurity and training the professionals needed to make things happen.

Sponsor of the Bill and Senate Majority Leader Bamidele Okpeyemi said the institution when established will go a long way in harnessing the rich agricultural potentials of Iragbiji and the State at large.

He submitted that the institution should be named a Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies rather than Tropical Studies.

Submissions were made by Prof. Garba Sharubutu, Executive Secretary Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security.

The paramount ruler of Iragbiji and other stakeholders from the area where the University is to be cited also made presentations in support of the creation of the institution.