The Benue State Government has announced plans to rename the State University, Makurdi, in honor of the late Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu, a former governor of the state.
Governor Hyacinth Alia made the announcement on Saturday during the university’s combined convocation ceremony, revealing that his administration had forwarded an executive bill to the State House of Assembly for the university to be renamed Reverend Father Moses Adasu University.
Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu, who served as the governor of Benue State between 1991 and 1992, was instrumental in the establishment of the university.
In his remarks, Governor Alia stated, “As a mark of respect for the founder of this institution, our administration has sent an executive bill to the state assembly to have the university named after Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu.”
The governor also revealed plans to establish a satellite campus of the university in Adikpo, located in the Kwande Local Government Area, to provide greater access to university education for residents of the Benue North East senatorial district.
Additionally, Alia announced a donation of 500 computers to the university’s computer-based test center and awarded 100 percent Master’s Degree scholarships to all first-class degree graduates.
He urged the graduands to become ambassadors of the university and the state, emphasizing the importance of integrity, hard work, and making a positive societal impact.
Governor Alia commended the university’s management for effectively implementing the CEFTER program and pledged support to partner with the World Bank to address post-harvest losses through initiatives like revitalizing the Wannune Tomato company and Taraku Mills.
This, he said, would boost the state’s economy and create job opportunities for the youth.
Addressing the graduates, Alia encouraged them to explore agricultural ventures, assuring them that his administration would provide financial assistance and farm inputs to help them succeed in farming as a sustainable livelihood option.
He emphasized that they should not wait for non-existent white-collar jobs but instead seize opportunities within the agricultural sector.
