The Benue State House of Assembly has passed the second reading of two significant bills, one to rename Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, in honor of the late Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu, and another to establish the Benue University of Agriculture, Science, and Technology in Ihugh.
During Thursday’s plenary, Majority Leader Mr. Saater Tiseer (APC/Mbagwa) explained that the second reading of a bill is limited to discussing its general merits and principles, not the specific details.
Tiseer highlighted that the bill aims to rename the university to honor Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu, the second civilian governor of the state and the founder of the institution. He recalled that in 1992, the late Adasu successfully established BSU and formed a steering committee, led by the late Chief Edwin Ogbu, to ensure the university’s launch in the 1992/1993 academic session.
“32 years after its establishment, BSU has fulfilled the dream of its founding fathers by providing Benue children with access to university education, employment opportunities, and highly trained manpower,” Tiseer noted.
The second bill proposes the establishment of the Benue University of Agriculture, Science, and Technology, Ihugh, as a professional university focused on modern agriculture and technological innovations. Tiseer emphasized that the new university would replace the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, which has been restructured into a conventional university offering courses in physical sciences, arts, and humanities.
“This university is a timely and transformative initiative. It will focus on research in modern agriculture, harnessing local potentials in technology, and collaborating with advanced universities globally,” Tiseer explained. He added that the university would provide youth with entrepreneurial skills essential for driving economic growth and development in the state.
The Minority Leader, Mr. Michael Audu, seconded the motions for both bills, and the Clerk of the House, Mr. John Hwande, read the bills for the second time.
Speaker Mr. Hyacinth Dajo referred the bills to the House Standing Committee on Higher Education for further legislative scrutiny.
These bills are expected to bring significant developments in higher education and agriculture in Benue State, benefiting the youth and local economy.