Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has inaugurated a task force to facilitate the smooth take-off of the University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the Old Banquet Hall of Government House, Makurdi, on Wednesday, the Governor described the university as a strategic investment in the future of Benue State and a critical platform for empowering youths through education, innovation, research and entrepreneurship.
The statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, said Prof. Leonard Shirgba heads the 12-man committee, while Dr Johnson Echor, Registrar, UAST, is the secretary.
The Governor said the university was conceived to serve as a centre of excellence in agriculture, science, technology and enterprise development, noting that the institution will equip students with practical skills and entrepreneurial capacity needed to create jobs and drive economic growth.
He stated that the establishment of the institution aligns with his administration’s vision of building a knowledge-driven economy capable of harnessing technology and transforming ideas into opportunities for sustainable development.
He further emphasised that the university would play a pivotal role in strengthening Benue’s position as the nation’s food basket through cutting-edge research, agricultural innovation, value addition and the promotion of modern farming practices.
Alia charged members of the newly inaugurated Task Force to provide the strategic direction required for the successful establishment of the institution, stressing the need to put in place the necessary structures, policies, systems and resources for its effective take-off.
However, Benue State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said Governor Alia’s university task force was a distraction from the collapse of Moses Orshio Adasu University, MOAUM, formerly Benue State University, Makurdi.
In a statement issued by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, the party said it received with disbelief the announcement of the inauguration of a Task Force for the take-off of the University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh, by Governor Alia.
“While Benue PDP is not opposed to the expansion of educational opportunities in our state, we find it both ironic and disturbing that a governor who has failed to address the worsening crisis in Moses Orshio Adasu University Makurdi (MOAUM), is now seeking applause for initiating another state-owned university”, PDP added, “This action exposes a troubling contradiction in the educational policy of the Alia administration. At a time when MOAUM, the state’s premier institution of higher learning, is struggling under the weight of neglect, inadequate funding, unresolved welfare issues and recurring industrial disputes, one would have expected a responsible government to concentrate its efforts on restoring stability and confidence in the institution before embarking on another expensive venture,” the statement said.
