Management of Achievers University, Owo in Ondo state has said its priority programme in the nearest future would be Agriculture.
It said it would work to expand collaboration and partnership to achieve success in its commitment to the development of Agriculture with an emphasis on food security.
Similarly, the Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) Ikeji-Arakeji said plans were on for it to secure 10,000 hectares of land for agricultural purposes to boost food security in the country.
It said acquiring the land would enable it to secure foreign intervention and expand facilities in the institution.
Vice Chancellor of Achievers University, Prof. Omolola Irinoye, who spoke at a pre-convocation press briefing ahead of the 13th convocation ceremony of the institution, said a total of 37 students out of 552 graduands bagged the First Class degree.
Prof. Irinoye said 259 graduated with Second Class honours, 195 made Second Class lower while 27 got Third Class.
Irinoye listed prominent individuals to be conferred with honorary degrees including Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, former Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Mrs. Olajumoke Anifowose and Executive Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria.
He said: “As we continue to expand our infrastructure, our priority programme in the nearest future is Agriculture. As we commit to the development of Agriculture with emphasis on food security, we would work to expand collaboration and partnership to achieve success.”
Vice Chancellor of JABU, Prof. Olasebikan Fakolujo, who spoke at a press briefing ahead of the institution’s 14th convocation ceremony, said the institution has secured 85 acres for its Department of Agriculture to boost farming activities.
He said the institution planned to secure 10,000 hectares for commercial farming as well as expansion of facilities in the institution.
Prof. Olasebikan said 23 out of 467 graduating students made the First Class degree.
He said 205 made Second Class Upper, 172 made Second Class Lower, 65 got the Third Class honours while two graduated with a Pass.
Speaking on the refusal by the federal government to allow private universities to access Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND) Prof. Olasebikan said the condition was too difficult to fulfill.
“We introduced payment of palliatives to all staff since September 2023. We will continue the payment until the economy improves. There is no time bound for the palliatives.
“We have fulfilled our mandate in the last 17 years. It is a progress story. I am the 4th substantive VC. Our graduates are making waves and doing very well. If we have not been producing quality graduates it will show.”
-Thenation
