By
Editor
The new Acting Provost of Edo State College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Andrew Osaigbovo Omosefe, has revealed that despite claims of revamping the College under the immediate past Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, the institution currently has only three students enrolled two years after its reopening.
Dr. Omosefe made this disclosure to journalists following his assumption of office, during which he led a guided tour of the College facilities alongside the outgoing Provost, Mrs. Eghosa Esther Akangbe.
He noted that the immediate past Governor Obaseki ordered the closure of the College just a month before students were to sit their final examinations, a decision made despite widespread appeals against it.
“The closure severely damaged student confidence, and reopening the College two years ago has only resulted in an enrollment of three students, which is unacceptable for an institution of this caliber,” Dr. Omosefe stated.
He pledged to embark on a vigorous campaign to boost enrollment and restore confidence, emphasizing partnerships with JAMB and other stakeholders.
“Agriculture is a major business, and this College should be at the forefront of agricultural manpower development in Nigeria.”
Dr. Omosefe lamented the poor state of infrastructure, highlighting that the student hostels, both male and female are in a deplorable condition, making it impossible to train productive students in a 21st-century institution.
He assured that the current Governor, Monday Okpbholo, is committed to revitalizing the College, aligning with the administration’s five-point agenda that prioritizes agriculture.
The Acting Provost revealed plans to also revitalize the College’s other campuses at Uromi and Agenebode, where specialized schools in Forestry and Natural Resources, as well as Marine and Aquaculture, will be established.
“We will expose the false claims made by the immediate past Governor Obaseki regarding the College’s transformation. Groundbreaking events were held, but no actual development occurred,” he asserted.
Further, Dr. Omosefe intends to introduce new courses in collaboration with partners, including Sustainable and Social Standards in Agriculture, Procurement Management in Agriculture, and entrepreneurial ventures aimed at increasing the College’s internally generated revenue.
The outgoing Provost, Mrs. Akangbe, in her handover address, congratulated Dr. Omosefe on his appointment and encouraged staff and students to support his efforts to transform the College into a center of excellence in agriculture, research, and knowledge.
She highlighted achievements under her tenure, such as the establishment of gender units to enlighten students on gender violence, partnerships with local government areas to advance the College, and collaboration with the Edo State Security Network to improve campus security following a robbery incident earlier this year.
Representing the Chairman of the Governing Council, Barrister Famous Osawaru acknowledged the setbacks post-restructuring and expressed confidence in the new Provost’s ability to restore the College.
Hon. Charles Nosakhare Edobor, Chairman of Ovia South West Local Government, praised the current Governor’s choice of leadership and pledged to support the College by constructing a ten-room apartment for staff accommodation.
He stressed the importance of staff welfare to boost productivity, noting the daily commute between Iguoriakhi and Benin City is taxing.
Kelly Okungbowa, popularly known as Ebo Stone and a close associate of the Provost, commended Dr. Omosefe as a principled academician with the capacity to elevate the institution.
In a bid to strengthen ties, the Provost also visited the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Edoba Omoregie, soliciting support to overcome enrollment challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor assured full collaboration, recognizing agriculture as a key priority at UNIBEN.
The handover ceremony was attended by prominent guests including local government officials, college council members, department heads, staff, community leaders from Iguoriakhi Waterside and Farm Settlement, and stakeholders from the agricultural sector.
