WE WILL EVOLVE STRATEGIES TO CURB FARMER-HERDER CRISIS — MUOAU PRO CHANCELLOR

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

The new Pro-Chancillor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Comrade Fidelis Edeh, has promised to consolidate on the goals set by the late Eastern Premier, Dr. Okpara, in the agric sector.

Comrade Edeh stated this when he led the delegation of the newly inaugurated eighth Governing Council of MOUAU on a familiarization visit to Governor Alex Otti in his Nvosi country home.

According to Comrade Ede, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, speaks volume of the agricultural revolution of Late Dr. Michael Okpara.

Comrade Ede bemoaned the pains of famers in the hands of herders in the Southeast and pledged to come up with strategies to tackle the menace to ensure food security.

He commended Governor Alex Otti for steps taken to ensure issuance of Certificate of Occupancy for the six thousand hecters of land accommodating the Institution.

The Pro-chancillor who commended the governor for his infrastructural strides in the state, appealed to him to extend hands of fellowship to the institution.

In a remark, a member of the Governing Council, Senator Uche Ekwunife, while noting that the South East Governors were united and intentional in developing the South East Region, called for a uniform legislation for the five South East states to achieve regional integration.

Responding, Governor Alex Otti said he prioritized education at all levels in the state, stressing that the present administration was working hard to equip the younger generation with the requisite skills and knowledge to compete favourably with their contemporaries at the global community.

Governor Otti while commending the federal government for the reconstitution of the 8th Governing council of the university, promised to give the newly inaugurated council the needed support to succeed in their new assignment.

He informed them that he had directed the commissioner for Lands Housing and the Attorney general and commissioner for Justice to retrieve and return to the institution all lands belonging to it, expressing government’s committment to retrieve all public lands that were taken over by private individuals in the past.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU