Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has urged the new Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru to key into the Federal Government’s agricultural diversification drive towards actualising national food Security.
Malam Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser to the governor on Media, made this known in a statement in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.
Bagudu stated this at the matriculation and investiture of the pioneer Chancellor of the university in Zuru, Zuru Local Government Area of the state.
The governor sought the support and cooperation of the newly established institution to his administration as well as that of the President Muhammadu Buhari in the country’s competitive agricultural sector.
This, according to him, is necessary especially at a time when African Continental Free Trade Agreement had been signed.
He said the university was created at a time when Kebbi State became more notable about its contribution and potential in agriculture.
The governor expressed optimism that the university would grow to become a great citadel of learning where students would not only come from every part of the country but also across the globe.
“I am optimistic that with the help of our creator, this university will become a great centre of learning, we want to see students coming from every part of Nigeria and every part of the world.
“Let me appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to the bill that resulted in the Act establishing the institution.
“Buhari has prioritised the growth of academic institutions across the country in spite of some prevailing challenges like national and international faltering economies and the COVID-19 formidable problems,” he said.
While extolling the contributions of the National Assembly members from Kebbi State, especially Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Bagudu promised to partner with the new university to make it a world-class centre of excellence in agriculture.
He noted with satisfaction that the Kebbi State Government, NNPC and a strategic investor had signed a 120 million dollars agreement on biofuel programme.
The governor said that this had helped in realising the dream of the state of becoming one of the oil producing states in the country.
“This happy development will see Kebbi State producing a more environmentally-friendly energy, biofuel, being used in cars and other machines.
“The project that is located in Gwazawa, Danko-Wasagu Local Government has been on for four years and we are happy that it has now taken-off,” Bagudu said.
He assured that arrangements were being made to commence the procurement of assorted machinery for the first phase of the project.
Bagudu acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Abubakar Mohammed-Ka’oje, “who is overseeing the project.”
He said: “our dream of joining that league of the oil producing states is now a reality and biofuel is even more eco-friendly.”