MAKE AGRICULTURE ATTRACTIVE TO STUDENTS, VC CHARGES ASN
In the face of dwindling choice of Agricultural science as a course of study in the Nigerian universities by prospective admission seekers, a call has gone to the stakeholders in the discipline to make it not only attractive but competitive.
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, who threw the challenge while receiving members of Agricultural Society of Nigeria, ASN, in his office, Thursday, June 30, stressed that time had come for a radical change in the curriculum content of the discipline.He challenged the Agricultural Society of Nigeria to consider thinkering with the curriculum to make the discipline as competitive as other sciences, adding that they should find out why students run away from the discipline
Professor Nwajiuba who is an Agricultural Scientist said that agriculture held the key for the survival of the nation, especially in this period of dwindling oil revenue and advocated that attention should be re-directed to the farm to ensure self sufficiency and enhanced standard of living.
He said FUNAI was rising up to the challenge by quickly establishing the faculty of agriculture which would take off in the 2016/2017 academic session, adding that the faculty would be dynamic, practical and tailored towards meeting the present needs of the nation.
On their forthcoming Golden Jubilee conference at the National Roots Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, he assured them that FUNAI would not only be fully represented but as well support the Association to organise a befitting anniversary conference. “It will be an opportunity for our young and dynamic university to showcase itself at the conference”, he stated.
He also said that FUNAI would in no distant time host a conference of the Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST), adding that time had come for Nigerian to eat what they produced as was obtainable in other countries.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr. Mrs. Tessy Madu, congratulated Professor Nwajiuba on his appointment as the Vice Chancellor of FUNAI, which she said was an honour to the Association.
Dr. Mrs. Madu who is the chairperson of fund raising committee for the conference, said they were in FUNAI to formally congratulate the Vice Chancellor, introduce the association to the University and invite him to their Golden Anniversary Conference.
The Association used the occasion to present souvenirs to the Vice Chancellor as well as some books and journals for the University’s library .