Onuoha’s Bill On First Federal College of Horticulture In South East Scales Second Reading

The Bill for the establishment of the Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe in Imo State, scaled Second Reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday.

The bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe”, was sponsored by Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha, who represents Okigwe/Isiala-Mbano/Onuimo federal constituency of Imo State in the House.

Leading the debate at plenary, Onuoha said the college will help improve the educational fortunes of the country.

“The establishment of this institution is informed by the imperative to create more access to higher and specialized technical education in view of large number of qualified candidates who are stranded annually in their failed attempt to gain admission into higher institution,” she said while explaining the rational behind the bill.

Continuing she said, “Mr. Speaker, Hon. Colleagues, this Bill makes adequate provision for a modern academic, horticultural and research institution. The objectives of the College as articulated above are supportive of its mission and broad vision of a modern horticultural institution that will develop world class human resources to sustainably manage our nation’s economy by providing technical and management expertise in horticulture and management sciences at the highest level.”

She pointed out that the enactment of the bill will help in transforming the educational fortunes of Nigeria in producing the desired manpower and expertise in horticulture/agriculture that Nigeria is yearning for.

“It should be noted that the College will be the first Federal College of Horticulture in the entire South East. The establishment of this institution in Okigwe Imo state will therefore 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”.

The bill was voted for by the members and adopted by the House for second reading.