Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Chief Audu Ogbeh, has expressed the determination of the Federal Government to prosecute alleged trespassers on land and property of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA).
He gave the assurance in Akure during the diamond jubilee celebration of the college. The Minister said land-grabbing, illegal destruction of farms and plantations are identifiable challenges facing the college promising that authorities would intervene on the matter.
Represented by the South West Regional Director and 1985 set alumnus of the college, Joseph Adeniyi Ogunwale, he lamented that the properties are meant for the training of the students and not for unscrupulous elements.
“It is troubling that the land grabbers are not satisfied with their wanton destruction of property and assets on this campus, but are determined to create more havoc.”
He decries claims by the trespassers of owning 375 hectares of the 1,000 hectares legally acquired for the college since by government in 1949 describing the remaining portion of land as “meager land area,” which he said is hardly sufficient enough to support the training activities of the institution, especially the just approved Forestry department and 12 other programmes.
