THE Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has performed the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of a world-class college of agriculture, specializing in aquaculture, fishery, and marine agriculture, in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.
Obaseki was joined by his Deputy, Marvellous Godwins Omobayo; DG of PDP Governorship Campaign, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen; Edo PDP Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi and other party faithful as well as the traditional ruler of Uwanno Kingdom, HRM Dr Oshiapi Egabor, among others.
The governor said the groundbreaking is a promise made to the people of the area.
Reeling out gains recorded by his government in the last eight years, Obaseki said, “Our colleges of agriculture were pathetic. Apart from losing accreditation, the students were deceived into believing that they were in school whereas the schools had lost accreditation and no possibility of offering them jobs when they finished.”
The governor said this led his administration to close down all unaccredited schools and restart the institutions, with the government passing the law for one college of agriculture with three schools.
He said, “Our emphasis is on providing practical knowledge to give the students jobs or opportunities to set up their own businesses. We said we were more interested in training people who will be useful to themselves and society than just having certificates.
“Today, we have restarted the Edo State College of Agriculture in Iguoriakhi. Not one of the colleges of agriculture in Nigeria can compete with what we have in Iguoriakhi. We are doing the same thing here as each school will have its own specialization.
“The school in Iguoriakhi focuses on agricultural technology. Today the school is currently running courses that we have brought to support oil palm investors brought into Edo State. Anybody that attends that school is guaranteed a job before finishing the school.”
According to him, “We have also decided that the College being built in Agenebode would take advantage of its closeness to River Niger to build specialization in aquaculture, fishery, and marine agriculture. The design is for the school to partner with fishing and aquaculture companies.
“As a State, we have set up the school and the people in the business will help partner with the State and the school to make sure that the learning that takes place in the school is very practical. The school is training for jobs, not certificates. The school will have a lot of laboratories and its own farms.”
Reassuring speedy development of the project, Obaseki stated, “Within 12 months, this school will be ready for our students to study. We are straightforward as a government. The school already has accreditation and the process of recruiting staff has already commenced and we have the funds in the budget this year to complete building the school.”
On his part, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Stephen Idehenre said the project is a unique milestone in the State’s education and agricultural journey to grow and develop the State.
He stated, “Today, we have embarked on an adventure that will not only enhance our academic landscape but also empower our youths and strengthen our agricultural sector.”
The traditional ruler of Uwanno Kingdom, HRM, Dr. Oshiapi Egabor, thanked the governor for prioritizing projects to better the lives of the people and place the State on the path of prosperity.
