Bauchi: Alumni Wants College of Agric Upgraded, Renamed After Goodluck Jonathan

From Paul Orude Bauchi

The Alumni Association of the Bauchi State College of Agriculture, has called on Governor Bala Mohammed to upgrade the Institution and rename it Goodluck Jonathan College of Agriculture and General Studies.

The President of the Alumni Association, Muhammad Sani Muazu, made the appeal in a press briefing held at the Secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi, on Saturday.

Muazu lamented that since the establishment of the College in 1971, it has remained backward because of its status as a monotechnic.

He argued that upgrading it to College of Agriculture and General Studies will attract funding from government and other interested organisations.

President of the Alumni Association, Muazu, Calls For Upgrade of Bauchi College of Agric

“Over the years, the Bauchi State College of Agriculture has played a pivotal role in shaping the agricultural landscape of Bauchi State and Nigeria at large,” he stated.

“Despite facing numerous challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate funding, and limited resources, the institution has produced countless professionals who have significantly contributed to agricultural productivity, food security, and economic growth in our state and beyond.

“We are heartened by the recent intervention by His Excellency, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, who has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to revitalizing this institution.

“The fencing of the college and the ongoing rehabilitation works are critical steps toward restoring its dignity and functionality.

“On behalf of the Alumni Association, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency for prioritizing the College in his developmental agenda.

Alumni Association of the Bauchi State College of Agriculture Laments Stagnation of Institution

“We believe these initiatives have lasting impact on the institution’s stability to fulfil its mandate of providing quality education and training in agriculture”

The alumni appealed to the governor to take an additional step by changing the nomenclature of the college from Bauchi State College of Agriculture to Goodluck Jonathan College of Agriculture and General Studies, Bauchi State.

“This change is not merely symbolic; it carries significant practical implications,” Muazu stated.

“With this new status, the college would be eligible to benefit from interventions by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), which would unlock new opportunities for funding, research, and infrastructure development.

“This adjustment would align the institution with national standards and open new avenues for growth and modernization.

“Moreover, changing the nomenclature would provide the opportunity to accommodate more courses, such as Entrepreneurship Development, Sciences related courses, and other disciplines that would enhance the institution’s relevance and competitiveness.

“We are proposing Goodluck Jonathan for this honor due to his remarkable commitment to democracy, education, and the development of Nigeria.

Alumni Wants College Upgraded to Goodluck Jonathan Collège of Agric. and Gen. Studies

“During his presidency, Jonathan demonstrated a strong passion for education, introducing initiatives such as the Almajiri Education Programme, aimed at integrating Qur’anic education into the formal education system.

“Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development (PRESSID), which provided scholarships to first -class graduates of Nigerian Universities

“Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), which provided funding for infrastructure development and research in tertiary institutions

“Jonathan’s administration also established 12 new federal universities, increased funding for education, and implemented programs to improve access to education for disadvantaged groups.

“Considering these achievements and his dedication to democracy and education, we believe Goodluck Jonathan is an ideal candidate for this honor.

“We are pleased to note that the governor’s contribution to the college is already yielding positive results.

“The institution is set to mount more Higher National Diploma (HND) courses soon, which would further expand its academic offerings and enhance its reputation.

“In conclusion, we, the Alumni Association, reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the advancement of our alma mater.

“We urge the state government to consider the proposed nomenclature change as a strategic move to secure the future of this historic institution”