*Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has charged Universities of Agriculture to bridge the gap of food insecurity and address the country’s current dependence on imported foods

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As a practical measure towards ensuring nutrition security in the country, the Federal Government has reiterated the need for the specialised universities to play a crucial role in the development of the agricultural sector of the Nigerian economy.

ConsumerConnect gathered President Muhammadu Buhari, in line with his administration’s objective of attaining sustainable green economy, has charged Universities of Agriculture in the country to bridge the gap of food insecurity and address the country’s current dependence on imported foods.

President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR

President Buhari, who stated this at the weekend during the 10th Convocation ceremony of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), in Abia State, noted these specialised universities must play their crucial role in catalaysing the development of the agricultural sector.

Through this, the universities can support the Federal Government in achieving its goal of sustainable green economy, agency report said.

Represented at the convocation as the Visitor to MOUAU by Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Honourable Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, said the government was looking up to the universities as lead drivers of the agricultural sector in the country.

While acknowledging that Nigeria is currently facing funding challenge, Buhari nonetheless, said that the West African country’s endowments are far greater than constraints.

Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, MOUAU Chancellor, applauded President Buhari and the University Management for the smooth running of the institution.

Abubakar, who is the Emir of Gombe, congratulated the graduands and urged them to be ambassadors of the university anytime.

Earlier in his address, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, 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 post graduate levels.

Prof. 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 degree while 243 were awarded with doctoral degree.

He stated: “Out of the 5,817 first degree graduands, 92 obtained first class honours; 1,775 with second class honours upper division; 2,905 had second class honours lower division while 1,226 with third class and 18 with Pass.”

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the university had recorded many breakthroughs, but called for significant infusion of funds for the upgrade of its physical environment.

The university as well conferred honorary degrees on four distinguished Nigerians in recognition of their positive contributions to the society, report said.

The awardees are: Oba Akeem Ogungbangbe, the Ajagbusi-Ekun VI Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa, Osun State; 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.