Tinubu urges universities on Agriculture, Livestock Transformation as JOSTUM graduates 22027 students … Charges them on drones production to combat insecurity

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged Nigerian Universities of Agriculture, as specialized Universities, to key into the Agriculture and Livestock Transformation effort of his administration for maximum impact.

The President gave this charge on Saturday during the occasion of the 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st Joint Convocation Ceremonies of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM).

Tinubu who was represented by the Minister for Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, said “Commercial and mechanized agriculture must become our way of life while the training of manpower in agriculture, collaboration with organisations, the development and release of improved crop varieties by the University should be consistent to align with the policy of my administration to tackle and address national food insecurity.

While acknowledging education and security as best tools for development and civilisation in any society, Tinubu also urged universities to go into research to produce drones and other technologies that would help combat insecurity both on their campuses and in the nation in general.

Speaking through the Vice Chancellor of University of Jos, Prof Tanko Ishaya, who represented the Minister, President Tinubu said his administration is not unaware of the security challenges faced by the University and expressed determination to continue to do its best to make all institutions of learning across the country conducive and safe for all learners and managers of educational institutions.

He, however, challenged academics who need to work and develop tools and materials necessary to enhance the detection and tracking of security breaches to make Nigeria safe saying “The combat of insecurity in the 21 century has gone beyond the physical running around by security operatives carrying guns to trace crime perpetrators.

“Our Universities should therefore, be engaged in research aimed at production and utilization of drones and other technology driven solutions to help combat the menace of insecurity on our campuses and beyond.

“The Nigerian military are doing an excellent job in this direction and we shall continue to support them in all ramifications.”

He said the Federal Government shall continue to prioritize education with improved funding through Capital appropriation and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) and urged managers of University’ system to be accountable and prudent in the application of the resources.

He stated that the title of the Convocation Lecture “The Complex Relationship Between Insecurity and Food Systems in Nigeria” was well chosen to enlighten everyone on the menace of food shortfalls and its complexities.

He commended the various collaborators who have continued to interface with the University towards the actualisation of the Federal Government agenda for national self-sufficiency in food production and job creation and enjoined them to do even better.

The President, while congratulating the graduating students, said the need for trained farmers who are able to deploy the use of technology and scientific know-how was more apt now than any other time as the nation is faced with the challenge of food insecurity.

“With your wealth of knowledge in contemporary skills in agriculture, you should count yourself lucky to have been equipped to provide services and expertise that will create wealth for you and employment for our youths,” he told the graduates.

Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Council, Senator Joy Emodi, acknowledged the mission of the University as that of advancing agricultural research, providing quality education in agricultural and related disciplines, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and developing innovative solutions for food security and rural development in Nigeria

She rejoiced with the graduates saying “The knowledge you have acquired should therefore, trigger your creative and innovative abilities to stimulate agricultural production and entrepreneurships for enhanced economic growth in line with Mr. Presidents’ agricultural and economic renewed hope agenda.

The Vice Chancellor of JOSTUM, Prof. Isaac Itodo, thanked President Bola Tinubu, for placing high value on education as panacea for national development.

Itodo who explained that the joint convocation ceremonies are historic in the University as they dispose of the accumulated effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, said they are graduation a total of 22,027 students with 200 of them coming out with first class.

“We are graduating a total of 22,027 students comprising 15,402 conventional Bachelor degrees, 2,121 Sandwich bachelor degrees and 4,504 Postgraduate degrees. Of the conventional Bachelor degrees, 200 have First Class, 3,532 have Second Class Honours (Upper Division), 7,637 obtained Second Class (Lower Division), 3,637 earned Third Class, 246 Pass and 150 unclassified (DVM) degree.

“Of the graduands of our Postgraduate School, 446 will be conferred with Doctorate degrees. 2,045 will be awarded Masters degrees while 2,013 will receive Postgraduate Diplomas. These graduands have fulfilled all the requirements for graduation as they were found worthy both in Character and Learning.”

While appreciating the President for the numerous projects in the university, Itodo who lamented the security threat to lives and property in the school appealed to President Tinubu to approve the opening up of the main access road to the University from the Agan Toll Plaza on the Makurdi-Lafia road and urgently release of funds for the perimeter fencing of the University to improve the security of lives and property on the campus