Bills for the renaming of Benue State University, Makurdi as Reverend Father Moses Adasu University and that of the establishment of Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area has enjoyed seconding reading.
The Two Bills enjoyed second reading during Thursday’s Plenary of the House held at the Hearing Hall, Benue State House of Assembly, Makurdi which was Presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Hyacinth Dajoh.
Presenting the Bills, Majority Leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer said, “Mr Speaker, distinguished colleagues, A Bill for A Law To Rename the Benue State University, Makurdi to Rev. Fr. Moses O, Adasu University, Makurdi and For Purposes Connected Therewith, 2024 is aimed at changing the maiden name of the Benue State University, Makurdi to Rev. Fr. Moses O. Adasu University, Makurdi as a mark of honour for its founder, the then Governor of Benue State.
“The House Notes that the first civilian Governor of Benue State, late Apollos Aper Aku had set up a committee In 1983 to carry out a feasibility study for the establishment of the Benue State University, Makurdi. The work of the committee was however cut short by the Military Coup of 31st December, 1983 which ousted President Shehu Shagari and all his Governors from office” Hon.Tiseer noted
He called on the House to be aware that, Between 1988 and 1989, the then Military Governor of Benue State, Col. Fidelis Makkah tolled this same line when he constituted another committee to continue with the Late Aper Aku’s dream of establishing the first State owned University in Northern Nigeria
Hon. Tiseer informed the House that in 1992, the second civilian Governor of Benue State, late Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu successfully established the Benue State University and swiftly set up a steering committee led by the Late Chief Ambassador Edwin Ogbu, which ensured the take-off of the University in the 1992/1993 academic session.
“Impressed that after the eight years gestation period that stretched from 1983 to 1992, the Benue State University became a reality under the watch of Late Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu whose tenure lasted for barely two years before It was truncated by another Military Intervention”
He further stated that, the establishment of the University provided the Benue child with easy access to University education, employment opportunities as well as a highly trained manpower for Benue Public Service.
On the Bill For A Law to Establish the Benue State University of Acrcuiture, Science and Technology, Ihugh And For Other Matters Connected Thereto 2024, Hon.Tiseer stated that, it is aimed at establishing a professional University in Benue State as a replacement for the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi which has been restructured into a conventional University offering courses in the Physical Sciences, Arts and the Humanities, saying the proposed University is timely and a transformative initiative which when passed will undertake research in modern agriculture, harness local potentials in technological innovations and equip our youths with entrepreneur skills needed to drive economic growth and development.
Contributing, Minority Leader, Hon. Michael Audu said, the renaming of Benue State University, Makurdi after former Governor, Rev. Fr. Adasu is apt and also added that the establishment of Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh is a welcome development as it would provide agriculture, science and technology education and job opportunities for People of Benue State.
Speaker, Hon. Dajoh asked the Clerk, Mr John Hwande to read the Bills for the second time and the Speaker refered the Two Bills to House Standing Committee on Higher Education for further legislative scrutiny.
