July 30, (THEWILL) — The Chief Executive Officer of BOBTRACK TRACTOR LTD, Bob Manuel, has called for the urgent diversification of the nation’s economy from oil and gas, which will one day “dry up, and is capable of becoming the nation’s economic mainstay.”
He equally posited that Agriculture alone, due to the favourable arable vast land across the length and breath of the country, is capable of mopping up the teeming unemployed youths of Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria in general, urging all critical stakeholders in the educational policy in the south south region of the country to rally round the newly approved Federal University of Agriculture Bassambiri, Nembe local government area of Bayelsa state, for the over all benefit of the people.
He, however, bemoaned the low turnout of invited dignitaries, but commended the initiative of the organisers, which is worthy of emulation.
Meanwhile, a group under the auspices of the Federal University of Agriculture Support Group (FSG) has raised a total of N232.562 million for the eventual take-off of the newly established university in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
While delivering a keynote address at the fundraising ceremony in Yenagoa, the Coordinator of the Support group, Dr Ala-Peters David, noted that the group decided to organise the fundraising in compliance with the presidential directive that all newly established universities kick off by September 2025.
He stressed that Bayelsans would be the direct beneficiaries of the Institution, despite it being a Federal University.
He further reiterated that this is the first higher institution in Bassambiri, Opu-Nembe, which prompted members of the fundraising committee to organise the event to leverage on the granting of the institution by the Federal Government, appealing to well-meaning Bayelsans in particular and Nigerians as a whole to support the growth and development of the school.
In the same vein, the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner of Education, Gentle Emelah noted that the state government had done a critical assessment and appraisal of the Federal University of Agriculture, Bassambirii with a commitment to assist in the construction of basic facilities for a conducive academic environment for the students and staff of the institution.
He also noted that right from the inception of the present administration, the state government has always prioritised educational policy in the state.
He was, however, silent on the donation to the take-off, but pledged the adequate logistical support to kick-start the University.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
