* A challenge for KSCOET
By Yunusa Onalo.
Mopa, the headquarters of Mopa-Amuro Local Government Area in Kogi State, is a virgin and fertile soil ripe for development,which beckons diligent farmers.
The decision by the Kogi State government to relocate the Kogi State College of Education (Technical) to Mopa is laudable and offers a unique opportunity for the growth and advancement of technical and vocational education in the region.
The proximity of the College to the Maga Cement Company in Iluagba is a significant advantage, providing students with easy access to industrial training and hands-on experience. This strategic location will enable students to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, fostering a deeper understanding of their chosen trades.
In addition, the College ‘s vocational education in agriculture and trained experts in the field present an opportunity for the government to invest in agriculture, thereby enhancing food production and security in the state. The college’s 3km x 3km arable land provides a suitable location for agricultural projects, which will also help clear bushes and forests, reducing potential hideouts for criminal activities.
Recently, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo launched the wet season farming initiative with a significant investment of over 7 billion naira in farm inputs and the deployment of more than 100 tractors across 7,324 hectares of farmland. We urge the government to consider including the Kogi State College of Education (Technical) in this initiative, leveraging the college’s expertise and resources to enhance the programme’s impact.
The college has a proven track record, having recently partnered with Dangote Cement Company Obajana for the 2023 youth empowerment scheme in Kogi State. By involving the college in the wet season farming initiative, the government can tap into its expertise and infrastructure, ensuring a more effective and sustainable program.
We encourage the government to seize this opportunity to create a hub for skills development, innovation, and entrepreneurship, ultimately transforming the socio-economic landscape of Kogi State. By investing in agriculture through the college, the government can empower farmers, increase food production and quality, and provide a sustainable solution to food shortages and poverty.
Yunusa Onalo
Head, Information and Protocol unit, writes from
KSCOE T MOPA
