Federal College Of Agriculture, Urhonigbe Establishment Bill Advances To Final Stage With Widespread Institutional Endorsement And Public Support.

Federal College Of Agriculture, Urhonigbe Establishment Bill Advances To Final Stage With Widespread Institutional Endorsement And Public Support.

The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), along with citizens and stakeholders across the country, has expressed strong support for the Bill, applauding Hon. Chief Dr. Billy Adesuwa Osawaru’s legislative vision, foresight, leadership, and Legislative ingenuity

National Assembly, Abuja // May 19, 2025

The Bill seeking to establish the Federal College of Agriculture (FCA), Urhonigbe, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, has successfully passed the Public Hearing stage of the legislative process in the House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Hon. Chief Dr. Billy Adesuwa Osawaru, who represents Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency and serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, the Bill has garnered broad-based support from relevant institutions, stakeholders, community leaders, and the general public. Notably, it has received a strong endorsement from the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN).

The public hearing, held on Monday, May 19, 2025, at the House of Representatives wing of the National Assembly, was well-attended. ARCN officials presented a comprehensive report in favor of the proposed institution. Academic experts, such as Prof. Victor Ekhator of the Department of Public Administration, University of Abuja, submitted position papers endorsing the Bill. Key stakeholders, including Mr. Thomas Evbayowieru Odemwingie, community leaders from Urhonigbe, and a cross-section of Nigerians, also voiced unequivocal support.

Hon. Osawaru, fondly referred to as “The Proud Benin Chief,” received wide acclaim for championing agricultural education, research, innovation, and rural development. He was applauded for his vision, foresight and legislative ingenuity in sponsoring Bill HB1864, that seeks to establish the College to offer full-time academic and vocational training in agriculture and related technologies, as well as carry out administrative, developmental, and research functions.

With the public hearing concluded, the Bill now proceeds to the final stage of legislative passage in the House of Representatives. What began as a visionary proposal is now well on its way to becoming law, poised to revolutionize agricultural education in Nigeria, create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, and drive socio-economic growth in Urhonigbe, Orhionmwon LGA, and Edo State as a whole.

Additionally, other legislative efforts championed by Hon. Osawaru, including the Bill to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Ehor, are also progressing through the various stages of the lawmaking process.

Billy Media.