By Joseph Erunke

Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have declared their unwavering support for the establishment of a Federal College of Agriculture and Vocational Studies in Ogbia Local Government Council of Bayelsa State.

The stakeholders, drawn from various private and public sectors, including non-governmental organizations, gave their backing for the establishment of the federal college during a one-day public hearing organized by the Committee on Agric Colleges and Institutions.

The lawmaker representing Ogbia Federal Constituency and sponsor of the bill, Hon. Mitema Obordor, stated that the aim of sponsoring the bill was to provide students with professional competence in vocational agriculture, enabling them to exhibit thorough knowledge of job skills and career opportunities. He added that the institution would equip students with entrepreneurial skills for self-employment and self-reliance.

According to Hon. Obordor, the college would help students demonstrate positive human relationships and the ability to work with people from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. He emphasized that the institution would provide training in agricultural skills, motivating others to acquire interest in vocational agriculture. Graduates would be equipped with the knowledge and ability to establish and manage farms efficiently and effectively.

He noted that Ogbia, where oil was first discovered in 1956, needed this institution to address the twin problems of unemployment and food security among the youth.

He said, Abobiri,being the largest Ogbia town, is  where the college is to be instituted,explaining that  the town has a vast land spanning 333.7 hectares, donated for the  take off of the institution with several facilities in place,if  it has the president’s approval.

The lawmaker also said the town was the marine headquarters of Agriculture in the then Eastern region.

Hon. Obordor therefore, advised stakeholders to support the bill for the progress of the state and to promote the institutional framework of the agricultural sector.

He added that the bill, if passed into law, would equip students with technical know-how, agricultural skills, and enhance food security, as well as create job opportunities and balance the nation’s oil-producing state with educational presence.

 Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka, emphasized the urgent need for decisive reforms in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. He advocated for the restructuring of the country’s agricultural framework using legal instruments to modernize and revitalize the sector.

Abbas  also stated  that research is essential for success in agriculture, stating, “The persistence and diligence of the Committee to fortify the nation’s agricultural research architecture, enhance food systems, and amplify extension services through oversight constitute the hallmark of legislative practices.”

He described the bill  as a significant commitment by the 10th House of Representatives toward achieving meaningful governance through responsive legislation. He further stressed the importance of making agricultural research and education central to national development, particularly amid growing food insecurity and climate challenges.

“The proposed Bill encapsulates a forward-looking vision of agriculture as a transformative force, no longer tied to outdated systems but poised for innovation and inclusive economic participation,” Abbas stated.

He expressed confidence that passage of the Bill would strengthen agricultural institutions and facilitate grassroots engagement.

“Expanding extension services will bridge the gap between research and practice, enhancing farmer engagement to improve livelihoods,” he added.

Abbas urged stakeholders to approach discussions with “clarity of purpose, intellectual rigor, and a shared resolve to position agriculture as the backbone of national prosperity.”

In his address, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, expressed optimism that Nigeria’s agricultural sector could transform into the backbone of economic reforms with the right strategies. He reminisced about Nigeria’s past as a major exporter of agricultural products and noted that the decline after the discovery of crude oil still affects the nation today.

Akinlade emphasized the importance of establishing more agricultural colleges and research institutions to tackle challenges like climate change, insecurity, and soil degradation.

“I envision these colleges as networks collaborating with other agricultural institutions and sectors to ensure their teachings are practical and market-relevant,” he stated.