Onuoha Makes Case For Establishment Of Horticulture College In Okigwe As Bill Passes First Reading

It was an impassioned Princess Miriam Onuoha that tried to persuade her colleagues in the House of Representatives to support the establishment of a college of horticulture in her Okigwe constituency during a debate on a bill she proposed.

The bill to establish a College of Horticulture in Okigwe, Imo State, has passed the first reading in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. It was proposed by Onuoha, who represents the people of Okigwe North Constituency.

The fiery lawmaker argued that the establishment of the institution would create balance in the geographical spread of the higher institutions in the state, among other reasons.

She said if established, the institution would be the first Federal College of Horticulture in Imo State.

“The Establishment of this institution is informed by the imperative to create more access to higher and specialised technical education in view of large number of qualified candidates who are annually stranded in their failed attempt in gaining admission into higher institution and to balance the geographical spread of the higher institutions as other higher institutions are located in the south and central Constituencies of Imo State”, she said.

According to her, the bill makes provision for a modern academic, horticultural and research institution that will develop world class human resources that can sustainably manage the nation’s economy by providing technical and management expertise in horticulture at the highest level.

“The college is therefore to further advance knowledge through research and nurture unique innovations, entrepreneurship and wealth management in its core area of interest.

“The enactment of this bill will help in transforming the educational fortunes in Nigeria in producing the desired manpower and expertise in horticulture/agriculture that Nigeria is yearning for”, she said.

Hon. Onuoha said if approved, the college would have objectives like providing full time and part time horticultural courses of instruction and training and arranging conferences, seminars and study groups relative to the fields of learning specified.

Other objectives of the college, according to the bill, include:  “To perform such other functions as in the opinion of the council may serve to promote the objectives of the college; Encourage the advancement of learning and to hold out to all persons without distinction of race, Creed, sex or political conviction the opportunity of acquiring higher and liberal education, and to provide courses of instruction and other facilities for the pursuit of learning in all its branches, and to make those facilities available on proper terms to such persons as are equipped to benefit from them.”

She stated that the establishment of the institution in Okigwe would also “ensure, equity, fairness and balance in the spread of Government amenities as contained in section 14(3) and (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.”