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President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a change of name for the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi in Benue State. The new name for the institution is now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi.
The name change became effective after the president signed a bill amending the law that set up the university.
President Buhari also signed another bill that changes the name of the Nigerian Prisons Service to Nigerian Correctional Service.
SEE DETAILS: Nigerian Prisons Service renamed, now Nigerian Correctional Service
A statement issued by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Senate), reads: “Federal Universities of Agriculture (Amendment No.2) Act, 2019
“This Act amends the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act, Cap. F22, Law of the Federation of Nigeria to change the name of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi in Benue State to Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi.”
Brief about Joseph Sarwuan Tarka
Late Joseph Sarwuan Tarka, an indigene of Benue State, was a founding memer of the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC). He was elected into the Federal House of Representatives in 1954 to represent Jemgba constituency.
He served as a former Minister for Transport and then Communications under the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon between 1966 and 1974.
In 1979, he was elected Senator to represent Benue East. He died in London in March 1980 at the age of 48.