The management of Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM) in Benue State on Thursday formally unveiled the new name for the institution as Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University.

Daily Trust reports that the governing council of the institution unveiled the new signpost in acknowledgment of the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari which in 2019 changed the name of the university.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Anande Richard Kimbir, had during that year’s matriculation explained that the Federal Government has changed the name of the institution from Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM) to Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (JTU).

Kimbir had however noted then that the delay in effecting the change was because an official communication was being awaited to specify the mandate, vision and mission of the university’s new status.

The vice chancellor hinted during the convocation ceremony of the school a fortnight ago about the formal adoption of the new name which suggested to the gathering that the long awaited official documentation was finally done.

Meanwhile, with the development, the expectation is for the school to settle for fresh vision and mission as obtains in conventional universities.

DAILY TRUST

Who is Joseph Sarwuan Tarka?

Joseph Tarka lived between 1932 and 1980. He is of Tiv origin in Benue State, North Central Nigeria.

Born in Igbor, Benue State to the family of Tarka Nanchi and Ikpa Anyam, he is a prominent Nigerian politician in the First Republic and beyond.

He was a former Federal Commissioner for Transport and then Communications under the Yakubu Gowon administration.

He was one of the founding members of the United Middle Belt Congress, a political organization dedicated to protecting and advocating for the country’s Middle Belt.

He attended Native Authority Primary School, Gboko and Katsina Ala Middle School, Katsina Ala.

After completing his education, he became a teacher at Katsina-Ala Middle School before going on for further studies at Bauchi Rural Science School.

He was a member of the Tiv Native Authority Staff Union and of the Northern Teachers Association.

He was among the founding fathers of the Second Republic political party known as the National Party of Nigeria.

He unsuccessfully ran for presidency in the party but later won a senatorial seat to represent Benue East in 1979.

While in the Senate, he served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriation, a position he held till his death on 30th March 1980, aged 48.

Joseph Tarka University joins Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, ABIA; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, ANAMBRA; Obafemi Awolowo University, OSUN; Ahmadu Bello University, KADUNA; Modibbo Adama University, ADAMAWA; Alex Ekwueme University, EBONYI; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, BAUCHI; Usmanu Dan Fodio University, SOKOTO and FUOYE, EKITI (General Adeyinka Adebayo University, EKITI (undergoing bureaucratic formalities)... as Federal Universities renamed by the Federal Government at different times.

Ok

Nice one
But I don't think it's necessary

If you Tarka me I Dabo you, this used to be the slogan used in the streets back in the day in reference to the 2 biggest political gladiators in their squabbles for the soul of Benue state.

Tarka wanted to build a strong and virile Tiv nation that can stand the majority tribes in Nigeria

Did you know??

Don’t listen to yourself; listen to the advice that you give others. - Michael Lottner

JOSEPH TARKA UNIVERSITY (JTU)
is okay. They should remove that name inside that people cant pronounce

If you Tarka me , I will Daboh you....

For the origin of the quote...see here

Joseph Tarka was a big advocate of the middle belt independent region detached from north

This is a statement by benue that they champion a different nation joined with north

Before his death at the age of 48... My purpose must not be diverted.

Hmmm...I guess we just enjoy this unnecessary renaming most of the time.

Who else noticed how they have stylishly gotten rid of the Agriculture in their name and now wanting to be a conventional university. Federal university of agriculture Abeokuta and Michael OKpara university of agriculture should pls take note

L

That's great

Nice follow

We don hear, academic excellence and safe environment for learners is all that matter.

senate should pls change nigeria name

Ok. It is noted.

Fulani headsmen, bandits over to you...

Lazycapitalist2:
If you Tarka me , I will Daboh you....

For the origin of the quote...see here

My Dad used to say this same words


Pls can someone kindly explain the legacy of this tarkar for the school to be named after him? I want to learn

Gather here if you equally blame Desmond Elliot

The name too long for person to pronounce sef... The former name is better to me.

See as people gather dey view signpost like LCD.

Nothing much, just a change of name. Same institution.

Just like anambra renamed her state university to chukwuemeka odumegwu ojukwu university.

A welcome development.

May God punish the governor and all his carbine members. if u know, u know

Franklyspeakin:
Who else noticed how they have stylishly gotten rid of the Agriculture in their name and now wanting to be a conventional university. Federal university of agriculture Abeokuta and Michael OKpara university of agriculture should pls take note

Hmm...does having Agriculture in the University's name devalue it?

Ok