Senator Kaka, Shehu Lawan SAN, (APC, Borno Central) believes that if established, Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship will give youths, skills, knowledge in agricultural and enhance food security. He addressed Nigerians at a public hearing organized by Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund to deliberate on Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama, Borno State (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB 185), he sponsored. Read the excerpts.
Qtn: Distinguished Senator Kaka, Shehu Lawan, can you speak on this your bill?
Ans: Today, I stand before you to advocate for a cause that is not only close to my heart, but one that I believe will significantly impact our nation’s future; the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship (FUAE) in Bama, Borno State.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics’ (NBS’) survey for the first quarter of 2024, Nigeria’s unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2024 rose to 5.3%, which represents 0.3%-points increase from 5.0% in the third quarter of 2023. The NBS also reported that the unemployment rate for males stood at 4.3%, while females experienced a higher rate of 6.2%.
More disheartening is the fact that, according to a global youth unemployment index, the Spectator Index, Nigeria has an astronomical 53% youth unemployment rate which places it second to only South Africa, which has 61% youth unemployment. These worrisome statistics have negative effects on the nation generally, as they lead to geometric rise in social vices and crimes in the society, all in the quest for survival.
Qtn: Can this proposed institution provide the expected relief?
Ans: Yes, there is relief through the proposed university that focuses on agriculture and entrepreneurship education, which prepares the youths to be responsible and enterprising.
The sad trend of high quest for white-collar jobs with the attendant unemployment rate underscores the need for a specialised university with focus on agriculture and entrepreneurship.
Qtn: We have many successful entrepreneurs,who didn’t pass through university of agriculture and entrepreneurship, can you throw lights on entrepreneurship education?
Ans: Entrepreneurship education is the process through which individuals acquire a broad set of competencies that can produce greater, social and economic benefits to the individuals. It is a form of education that seeks to provide knowledge, skills, attitude and motivation to students for entrepreneurial success in various facets of human endeavour, by equipping them with the ability to seek investment opportunities and maximize returns from those investments.
Apart from agriculture, entrepreneurship which is a major focus of this bill, encompasses all kinds of experiences that give students the ability and vision of how to access and transform opportunities of different kinds. In essence, the proposed university which focuses on agriculture and entrepreneurship will provide a platform for youths to transform opportunities to business ventures and accordingly, manage those ventures to become a medium for job creation for themselves and others.
Qtn: You are in a position to explain this, what exactly is the goal of entrepreneurship education?
Ans: The goal of entrepreneurship education is increasing the students’ ability to anticipate and respond to societal changes. It creates a viable avenue through which students are equipped to deploy their abilities and capabilities for creativity for their good and benefits of the larger society, in addition to their empowerment to take initiatives, responsibilities and risks. Through offering unique goods and services, entrepreneurs break away from tradition and reduce dependence on obsolete systems and technologies. This results in an improved quality of life, improved morale, and greater economic freedom.
Qtn: How then do you think that the youths will benefit from this?
Ans: The proposed university will train Nigerian youths self-reliance, which in a general sense is what actually promotes productivity and other economic activities which obviously lead to the development of Nigeria. Therefore, the idea of self-reliance lays heavily on youth empowerment by training the mind and body of the youth for proper integration into the society and for positive development. Consequently, the significance of entrepreneurship also lies in its ability to improve standards of living and create wealth, not only for the entrepreneurs, but also for related businesses.
We must recognise that except the citizenry is exposed to the right education, unemployment would remain unabated. One of the ways of ensuring that education assists in addressing national and global unemployment is establishing a university with specialisation in entrepreneurship and agriculture. As you know, we must recognize the pressing need for higher educational institutions that focus on agriculture and entrepreneurship, particularly in regions that have faced numerous challenges.
Qtn: Can you speak on its economic empowerment?
Ans: The institution will provide our youths with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the agricultural sector. By equipping them with practical training and entrepreneurial skills, we can empower a new generation of farmers, agribusiness leaders, and innovators, by creating jobs, reducing poverty, and stimulating local economies.
Qtn: Food security and production pose big problems to Nigeria and Nigerians, can this proposed institution be a succour?
Ans: In a country where agriculture is the backbone of our economy, establishing this institution will directly contribute to enhancing our food production capabilities. By focusing on sustainable agricultural practices and innovative farming techniques, we can ensure that Nigeria not only meets its food needs but also becomes a leader in agricultural exports.
Qtn: Research and development go a long way in an economy, can this university contribute to these areas?
Ans: The university will serve as a center for research and development, addressing the unique agricultural challenges faced by our region. By fostering collaboration between academia, government, and the private sector, we can develop innovative solutions to combat issues such as climate change, pest management, and soil degradation.
Qtn: How can the host communities benefit from the institution?
And: The establishment of this university will create a ripple effect in the community, enhancing local infrastructure and services. It will attract investments, stimulate local businesses, and improve the quality of life for residents in Bama and its surroundings. Moreover, it will serve as a beacon of hope, inspiring young people to pursue education and careers in agriculture and entrepreneurship.
Qtn: Attainment of national development isn’t a day’s job, can this institution do the magic and why did you choose Bama?
Ans: This institution aligns with Nigeria’s national development goals, particularly in promoting sustainable development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By investing in education and agriculture, we are investing in a prosperous and sustainable future for Nigeria.
The choice of Bama in the establishment of this institution is due to its strategic location, being a densely populated major town in Borno State and a border town in the Cameroun axis. Bama has a first class emir, who heads the Bama Emirate. This university will afford Nigerians and non-Nigerians an opportunity to acquire this specialised education.
Being close to the Cameroon border, the university could facilitate cross-border partnerships, promoting trade and cooperation in agricultural practices and entrepreneurial ventures. Let me also disclose here that the Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno, has promised to donate an existing institution for the takeoff of this university.
The FUAE, Bama, Borno State, is more than just an educational institution; it is a vital catalyst for change. It embodies our commitment to building a resilient economy, nurturing our youth, and cultivating a sustainable future for Nigeria. I enjoin us all to pave the way for a brighter tomorrow, not just for Bama or Borno State, but for all of Nigeria. I advise everybody to give this bill full support, as it will open new frontiers to education and self-reliance among our youths, especially as this will be the first entrepreneurship university in this country.
Qtn: For Nigerians to support this Bill, can you tell us where an institution of this nature has yielded positive results?
Ans: This has yielded positive results in countries like the USA, Australia, and New Zealand, among others, and we cannot afford to be left out in view of the glaring realities highlighted above.
Sen. Kaka, Shehu Lawan
