Proposed Federal Agric. Varsity in Borno ‘ll address unemployment – Sen. Kaka
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Senator representing Borno Central Senatorial District, Sen. Shehu Kaka, has said that the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship Development, Bama, Borno will address unemployment in the country, when established.
Kaka stated this at a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund in Abuja on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the public hearing was on “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship Development, Bama, Borno”.
Kaka (APC-Borno), who sponsored the bill, said that except the citizenry was exposed to the right education, unemployment would remain unabated.
“One of the ways of ensuring that education assists in addressing national and global unemployment is establishing a university with specialisation in entrepreneurship and agriculture.
“As we gather here, we must recognise the pressing need for higher educational institutions that focus on agriculture and entrepreneurship, particularly in regions that have faced numerous challenges.
“The significance of establishing the proposed university is that the institution will provide our youths with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the agricultural sector.
“By equipping them with practical training and entrepreneurial skills, we can empower a new generation of farmers, agribusiness leaders and innovators (creating jobs, reducing poverty, and stimulating local economies),” he said.
The senator cited the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) survey for the first quarter of 2024 which indicated that Nigeria’s unemployment rate rose to 5.3 per cent from 5.0 per cent in the third quarter of 2023.
“These worrisome statistics have negative effects on the nation generally, as they lead to geometric rise in social vices and crimes in the society, all in the quest for survival.
“However, there is relief through the proposed university that focuses on agriculture and entrepreneurship education, which prepares the youth to be responsible and enterprising,” he said.
Declaring the occasion open, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said that the bill marked a significant step toward advancing educational opportunities in the country, particularly in the north-east which had endured numerous challenges in recent years.
“Education is the cornerstone of national development. We must prioritise and invest in institutions that will drive innovation, sustainability and economic growth.
“The proposed university is not just an academic institution but a beacon of hope and empowerment for the youth of Borno and beyond,” Akpabio said.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the committee, Sen. Muntari Dandutse, said that the establishment of the university would go beyond creating another institution of higher learning but would address key areas of national need.
Such areas, the lawmaker said, included: agricultural advancement.
“As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy away from oil dependency, agriculture stands as the cornerstone.
“This university will focus on advancing agricultural knowledge, integrating modern techniques and empowering a generation of students with the skills to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability,” he said.
On entrepreneurship development, Dandutse said that with the rising demand for job creation and self-reliance, the university would provide students with the necessary skills to become job creators rather than job seekers.
He said that establishing the university in Bama would be a strategic and symbolic move toward rebuilding and revitalising the north-east region which had been severely impacted by insecurity.
“It will offer hope and opportunity, providing the youth with a pathway to positive engagement and a chance to contribute to society constructively,” the lawmaker said.
Also present were Harvir Kaur Sanga from the BSOEC Secretariat, Head of Business and Human Rights and Deputy Programme Director · Amnesty International, United Kingdom, Mr. Mark Dummet, Chairman, Human and Environment Development Agenda (HEDA), Olanrewaju Suraju as well as the Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, and environmental activist, Ms Annkio Briggs among others.
