President Muhammadu Buhari has asked universities of agriculture in the country to bridge the food insecurity gap and address the nation’s dependence on imported foods.

He asked the specialised universities to play their part in developing the agricultural sector, so as to help the federal government achieve its goal of sustainable green economy.

Mr Buhari said this on Saturday, at the 10th Convocation ceremony of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Abia.

The president, who is the visitor to the university, was represented by Mohammed Abubakar, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the government was looking up to the universities as lead drivers of the agricultural sector.

Mr Buhari, who admitted that Nigeria is currently facing challenge of funding, however said that its endowments were far greater than constraints.

The MOUAU Chancellor, HRH Shehu Abubakar, commended the president and the university management for the smooth running of the institution.

Mr Abubakar, who is the Emir of Gombe, congratulated the graduands and urged them to be ambassadors of the university anytime.

Earlier in his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Maduebibisi Iwe, disclosed that the university was graduating a total of 6,606 students, with 4,115 belonging to the 2018/2019 academic year at the undergraduate and post graduate levels.

Mr Iwe, who is the sixth vice-chancellor, said 5,817 obtained bachelor’s degree, 92 with postgraduate diploma, 454 had master’s degree while 243 were awarded with doctoral degree.

He said the university had recorded many breakthroughs, but called for significant infusion of funds for the upgrade of its physical environment.

The university conferred honorary degrees on four distinguished Nigerians in recognition of their positive contributions to the society.

They are, Oba Akeem Ogungbangbe, Osun; Usman Kansila, Founder, UYK Nigeria; Cosmas Maduka, Founder and Chairman of Coscharis Group and Chika Ikenga, Founder and Managing Director of Eunisell.

(NAN)