From Rashidat Suleiman, Minna
Former Commissioner for Tertiary education in Niger state, and a critical stakeholder of Shiroro local government area, Prof. Muhammad Bashar Tachi has appealed to the state Governor, Umar Bago to make the Kuta study centre alternative to the College of Agriculture, Mokwa, when the college becomes University.
Prof. Tachi who made the appeal on Saturday at the 12th matriculation ceremony of the Kuta study centre of the college, observed that with the experience and achievements recorded over the years, the Kuta study centre has more advantage to replace its mother institution when the Farmer Governor succeeded in turning it Into the proposed Abdulsalam Abubakar University of Agriculture, Mokwa.
Prof. Tachi who was a special guest of honour at the event highlighted that the Kuta study centre located in a predominantly agricultural activities community has structure and landmass that can guarantee expansion, and that the international yam and other agric products market in Kuta is an added advantage to the relocation of the college to Kuta.
He commended the Governor for his thoughtfulness to transform the college of Agriculture Mokwa to a University, after making agriculture top on the his priority list, and underscored the importance of the proposed institution of learning to the state Agricultural programme.
Prof. Tachi highlighted mechanized agriculture as the global best practice now, adding that the proposed University of Agriculture Mokwa will go a long way in ensuring best agricultural practice is achieved in the state.
He also appealed to the mother institution to look into the possibility of granting the centre a Higher National Diploma (HND) programme, saying the centre have graduated over 500 hundred diploma students who would be willing to further their education but could not due to distance.
He added that the study centre has continue to grow since 2014, with students from Paikoro, Rafi, Munya and Shiroro local government areas, as well as from Minna, and called on all stakeholders of Shiroro local government to join in the crusade of transforming the centre to college of Agriculture when Mokwa becomes a university.
Earlier in his address, the Acting Provost of the state College of Agriculture Mokwa, Dr. Etsu Mohammed Shaba who was represented by the Deputy Provost of the college, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi Garba appreciated the foresight of Prof. Nuhu Tachi who facilitated the establishment of the centre when he was the state Commissioner for Tertiary education.
He disclosed that the Kuta study centre of the college was the best among all the college study centres, and informed the students that the college has gotten accreditation for all its programmes, adding that the products of the college will now be recognized nationally.
The Acting Provost also revealed that the college is working in partnership with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to initiate a programme that will make the college graduates to be self reliant after their studies, even without a government job.
While assuring the coordinator of the Kuta study centre and his team the continued support of the college management, he also promised that if the college is given approval to grant its study centres HND programme Kuta would be the first to be recognized.
He also urged the newly matriculated students to be serious with their studies, saying they can be who they want to be if they take their studies serious.
The Coordinator of the centre, Dr. Mohammed Sani commended the efforts of Prof. Nuhu Tachi in establishing the centre and his continued support to the growth and development of the centre.
He also disclosed that the centre had graduated over 500 diploma students which if given the opportunity would want to continue with their education, thereby welcoming the move by Prof. Tachi to grant Kuta study centre HND certification, saying it will go a long way in reducing the stress and financial burden of going to the main college campus at Mokwa.
The Coordinator of the centre also appreciated the support and understanding he has been enjoying from his subordinates, especially the part time lecturers of the centre.
A’ishatu Aliyu Isma’il who spoke on behalf of all the matriculating students was full of praises for Prof. Nuhu Tachi who was the architect of the centre that afforded them the opportunity of having a beneficial education, and prayed to God Almighty for him to live long to reap the fruit of his labour.
She also appreciated the parent body of the institution for ensuring smooth and coordinated running of the study centre, and equally commended the Coordinator of the centre and his management team for their inspirational leadership style at the centre.
A total of 64 students were matriculated, with 52 in Animal health and production technology, while 12 are in Agricultural Technology.