Dr Oluyemi Akande has been the Provost of Federal College of Land Resources Technology (FECOLART) for three years on where he has recorded a lot of achievements. In this interview with CHIDIEBERE IWUOHA, he outlines some of those achievements and challenges.
By Chidiebere Iwuoha Owerri
Could you please tell us about the college? The Federal College of Land Resources Technology (FECOLART) Owerri was established in 1991 as one of the Special Colleges of Agriculture under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), directly supervised by the Federal Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management services. It was established to address the middle level manpower requirements in the areas of land resources and environmental management, soil conservation, food security and climate change management services in the rain forest ecological region. There are only two Colleges of Land Resources Technology in Nigeria, located in Owerri and KuruJos, Plateau state.
The objectives of establishing the two colleges is to train and develop skilled professionals, run National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) courses, organise short duration course and carry out advisory services in the areas of soil/land resources conservation and management, application of technology and climate change management for the purpose of agricultural transformation and food security. What is the vision of the college?
Our vision is to become a world class and globally recognised centre of excellence in achieving a rotational utilisation of nation’s land resources for food security and environmental sustainability.
Why did you relocate the college? The College was in its temporary site at Egbeada, Ubomiri in Mbaitoli LGA for many years. The College Staff School is still at Ubomiri. But, I felt there was an urgent need to relocate to the permanent site at Oforola, Owerri West LGA to fast track development. So, when I came into office last three years I embarked on its relocation. Now, facilities befitting a higher institution are gradually being erected.
How is the relationship of the college and host communities like? I have done a lot in this regard. We have cordial relationship with the three host communities of the college, namely Ulo-Ukwu,Ubomiri, Oforola and Obosima. We meet from time to time to discuss issues affecting the college. Indigenes are engaged to do the available jobs on campus and they are taken care of in most of the appointments.
As a result, they see the college as their own and work towards its growth. The issue of encroachment on college land, as is done in other higher institutions, does not arise because of this relationship.
What are your other achievements? From 2015 when I took over the mantle of leadership as provost of the college, there have been records of achievements. I have renovated 10 units of 3-bedroom bungalow for staff accommodation, provided improved and state-of-the- art ICT centre with internet services (Wi-Fi) for 24 hours operation, established 2000 capacity JAMB CBT and registration centre, renovated three farm tractors with modern accessories, established college clinic, poultry, apiary, goat and research and demonstration farms. Inaugurated the college alumni association, created website and portal for the college networking, research publications and students’ academic interactions. Installed CCTV at the College JAMB CBT centre and introduced Basic 5 class at the college staff school. In addition to the things mentioned above, there is on-going renovation/ rehabilitation of a block of six classrooms for computer sciences department. The same for soil department and sports complex with football pit, hand-ball and tennis courts. Construction of block of six classrooms for Agric Extension and Management Department, construction and tarring/asphalting of 10km roads from Avu Market to the main gate of the college.
This is courtesy of Hon. Jerry Alagboso, with the help of Hon Dele Anayo and Eze Ekeocha (Ola-Ukwu 1 of Ola-Ukwu autonomous community. Continuation of the earth road/ surface dressing of the 3.15km from Obosima to the college (courtesy of FMARD), procurement of field and laboratory equipment for accreditation of new college programmes, establishment of new poultry, apiary, goatery and rabbitery farms for research and demonstration.
Construction of metal workshop and Green House for tree/crop nursery, established fish farm in collaboration with OMIMI Farm Nig. Ltd; and introduced Basic 6 classes at the college staff school and its accreditation and approval by the primary management board.
Challenges of the college Currently, we have problems of security and trespassing due to lack of fencing. And there have been attacks of the college students, especially those living in the neighbouring communities. We wish to acknowledge that the college has received various levels of assistance and support from the federal government through our ministry-the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. However, we note with dismay that for seven consecutive financial years now, TETFund has suspended assistance to all colleges of agriculture and related disciplines in Nigeria, while our counterparts in the Federal Ministry of Education are still enjoying TETFund assistance, though the matter is currently in the National Assembly.
Also, the college is not yet enjoying the 65 years retirement age being enjoyed by other higher institutions in the country. We, however, remain optimistic that the National Assembly and Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development will come to our aid and correct this disparity, which has lingered for years now.
