The Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu Ebonyi state, Prof. Justina Mgbada, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state for their numerous support to the institution.
Mgbada spoke at the institution’s combined 44th combined convocation ceremony where it graduated a total of 2, 512 students on Friday.
The provost said the numerous infrastructural strides recorded by the institution were due to the timely release of funds by the Federal Government (FG) under the able leadership of President Buhari.
“The president’s immense support has made the college well positioned to focus seriously on its core mandate which is training of the broad-minded, tolerant and self reliant citizens who can compete globally.
She noted that this necessitated the conferment of award of fellowship to the President in appreciation of all these contributions and support for the institution.
She also commended Governor Umahi for his support to the institution noting that the it has been absorbed in the state government’s economic policies especially in agriculture.
“The governor has been a good and hospitable landlord and has ensured that peaceful and mutual relationship exists between the institution and the host community, Ishiagu.
Mgbada also thanked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Nanono, for his support and private sector players who have contributed to the growth of the institution.
She said the graduation ceremony was for the combined 2016/17, 18 and 19 academic sessions after the graduands were found worthy both in learning and character.
“Having taken over the mantle of leadership of the institution in January, 2015, I have through the convocation, ensured that all deserving students have graduated from the institution.
“The National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) has accredited most of the college’s academic programmes as the college trains students at National and higher national diploma levels.
“It therefore provides skilled middle level manpower to the nation, having more than 200 hectares of land with 60%practical academic programme and 40% theory.
President Muhammdu Buhari represented by Alhaji Muhammad Nanono, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said the federal government was passionate about agriculture.
Nanono equally represented by Prof. Garba Sharubutu, Acting Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) said that agriculture was a veritable means of reducing unemployment and over-dependence of the country of agriculture.
“The federal colleges of agriculture as part of the national agricultural research systems comprise of research institutes, colleges of agriculture and universities of agriculture.
Umahi represented by Mr Uchenna Orji, state Commissioner for Information and Orientation congratulated the graduands and urged them to be part of the state’s quest to attain a ‘zero-oil dependent’ economy.
