By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government has been urged to as a matter of necessity, name the State owned College of Agriculture to Goodluck Jonathan College of Agriculture and General Studies to honour the former President for his deep love and concern for the State.
The call was made by the Alumni Association of Bauchi State College of Agriculture (BASCOA) during a press conference held on Saturday at the NUJ Press Center, Bauchi.
The BASCOA Alumni led by the President, Muhammad Sani Mu’azu stated that, “Over the years, the Bauchi State College of Agriculture has played a pivotal role in shaping the agricultural landscape of Bauchi State and Nigeria at large.”
He however lamented that, “Despite facing numerous challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure,
inadequate funding, and limited resources, the institution has produced
countless professionals who have significantly contributed to agricultural
productivity, food security, and economic growth in our state and beyond.”
“We are heartened by the recent intervention by Governor Bala
Abdulkadir Muhammad, who has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to revitalizing this institution. The fencing of t he college and the ongoing rehabilitation works are critical steps toward restoring its dignity and functionality,” he added.
Muhammad Sani Mu’azu stated that,”On behalf of the Alumni Association, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to His
Excellency for prioritizing the College in his developmental agenda. We believe
these initiatives will have a positive impact on the institution and assist in the mandate of providing quality education and training in agriculture.”
According to him,”In line with the Governor’s developmental strides, we humbly call on the Bauchi State Government to take an additional step by changing the nomenclature of the college from Bauchi State College of Agriculture to Goodluck Jonathan College of Agriculture and General Studies, Bauchi State.This change is not merely symbolic; it carrie s significant practical implications.”
He stressed that,”With this new status, the college would be eligible to benefit from interventions by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), which would unlock new opportunities for funding, research, and infrastructure
development.”
He stated that, “This adjustment would align the institution with nationals tandards and open new avenues for growth and modernization.”
The Alumni President added that, “Moreover, changing the nomenclature would provide the opportunity to
accommodate more courses, such as Entrepreneurship Development, Sciences related courses, and other disciplines that would enhance the institutions relevance and competitiveness.”
He added that,”We are proposing Goodluck Jonathan for this honor due to his remarkable commitment to democracy, education, and the development of Nigeria. During
his presidency, Jonathan demonstrated a strong passion for education.”
According to him, “He introduced initiatives such as the: Almajiri Education Programme, aimed at integrating Qur’anic education into the formal education system, Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development (PRESSID), which provided scholarships to first -class graduates of Nigerian Universities.”
He adeed that,”There is the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), which provided funding for infrastructure development and research in tertiary institutions.”
According to him, the Jonathan’s administration also established 12 new Federal Universities, increased funding for education, and implemented programs to improve access
to education for disadvantaged groups.
“Considering these achievements and his dedication to democracy and education, we believe Goodluck Jonathan is an ideal candidate for this honor. We are pleased to note that the governor’s contribution to the college is already yielding positive results. The institution is set to mount more Higher National Diploma (HND) courses soon, which would further expand its academic offerings and enhance its reputation,” he added.
He concluded that,”We, the Alumni Association, reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the advancement of our alma mater. We urge the state government to consider the proposed nomenclature change as a strategic move to secure the future of this historic institution.”
“Let us all work together to ensure that the Bauchi State College of Agriculture continues to serve as a cornerstone of agricultural education and development in Bauchi State and Nigeria,” he added.
