Reps move to establish agriculture college in Edo as bill scales second reading

A bill for an Act to establish the Federal College of Agriculture, Ebele, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, on Thursday, scaled the second reading in the House of Representatives.

The Bill which was sponsored by the member representing Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, Hon. Marcus Onobun, seeks to provide training and research in various fields of agriculture.

Recall that the bill was first read on the floor of the Green Chamber on October 18, 2025.

Onobun, while leading the debate on the Bill, said “Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the economic development of a country; that is to say, it is the backbone of a nation’s economy. In addition to providing food and raw materials for industries, it also provides employment opportunities to a large percentage of a nation’s population.

“The College of Agriculture, Ebele, which this bill proposes, is a training and research institute which will engage in the advancement and promotion of the education of scholars in different fields of agriculture needed in the development of the agricultural sector of our economy.

“The establishment of this College of Agriculture will help mitigate the challenges presently confronting our nation through the various programmes that will be offered at the college.

“This bill has the potential of reducing youth restiveness as the college will provide opportunities for our youths to get involved in research and academic activities that will keep them busy, thereby preventing them from engaging in unproductive ventures that will impact negatively on the society.”