Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has signed into law a bill amending the name and governing structure of the state's School of Agriculture, in a move aimed at aligning agricultural education with international best practices and promoting modern agribusiness development.
With the governor's assent, the institution will now be known as the Edo State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, replacing its former name, the Edo State College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The development was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Patrick Ebojele, following the signing ceremony at the Government House in Benin City during a courtesy visit by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku.
Under the new law, the institution will continue to operate across its three campuses, with the Iguoriakhi campus serving as the main campus for Agricultural Technology, the Uromi campus focusing on Forestry, and the Agenebode campus specializing in Aquaculture.
Speaking before the governor assented to the bill, Agbebaku said the amendment was designed to reposition the institution in line with global best practices and provide students with practical, scientific and innovative agricultural training.
He noted that the renaming of the institution reflected the growing importance of science and technology in modern agriculture.
"Agriculture has gone scientific. We decided to amend the bill so that we can integrate science and technology into agricultural education. The institution was formerly known as the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, but it has now been renamed the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology," the Speaker said.
Agbebaku expressed confidence that the new legal framework would equip students with the practical skills required to drive food sufficiency and agricultural innovation in the state.
Assenting to the bill, Governor Okpebholo described the legislation as a major milestone for agricultural education and economic development in Edo State.
He said the reform would enhance the institution's capacity to produce graduates equipped with the knowledge and technical skills needed to transform the agricultural sector.
The governor noted that the amendment came at a critical time when states across the federation were intensifying efforts to boost food production and reduce dependence on imported food.
According to him, the administration is determined to ensure that Edo State produces at least 95 per cent of the food consumed by its residents while leveraging agriculture to increase the state's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Okpebholo added that the new law would also create employment opportunities for youths through livestock production, agricultural husbandry and other value-chain activities.
He said the legislation would encourage young people to embrace modern farming by focusing on livestock breeding, animal care and agricultural enterprises capable of producing meat, milk, fibre and eggs for local consumption and commercial purposes.
