The Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) has promised to assist the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), in realising its dream of having sufficient water supply, independent power base,

irrigation agriculture and engineering, through the provision of a dam.

The Managing Director of OORBDA, Mr Jimi Omoliki, gave the assurance when the university's Vice Chancellor, Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole, accompanied by principal officers and directors of essential services, paid him a courtesy call.

Speaking on the occasion, the vice chancellor stressed the need for stronger ties and collaboration between FUNAAB and OORBDA in the areas of capacity development, power generation, irrigation, security and good road networks.

Professor Oyewole said his administration was working round the clock to tackle the challenges of erratic power supply, inadequate supply of potable water and irrigation, through the provision of a dam.

According to him, "one of the challenges facing us today is water. You can help us to solve it. We have up to 70 boreholes on campus but what we need goes beyond boreholes. I was told that Engineer Omoliki carried out a study on our campus on the issue of dam. We hope to benefit from that study.

"We want to collaborate with you (OORBDA) to get a dam, the one on campus is meant for fisheries. We may not need to build a dam but you can extend yours to us. For instance, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) bills for the university has increased by over 100 per cent. We can't continue like that.”

Speaking further,  Oyewole solicited the assistance of OORBDA in exposing FUNAAB undergraduates to irrigation agriculture during their Farm Practical's Year (FPY) and the Community-Based Farming Scheme (COBFAS).

"There is the need for us, as a nation, to produce food all-year-round. The answer is in irrigation farming. Our students stand to benefit from your irrigation programme. We need your assistance in this area,” the vice chancellor stressed.