Source : Daily News, by MARC NKWAME in Monduli .
AMID pounding rain here, President Jakaya Kikwete led thousands of people who included government officials and other political and religious dignitaries in marking the 30th anniversary of the death of former PrimeMinister Edward Moringe Sokoine.
Dr Kikwete said the government was in the process of constructing a second higher institute of learning to be dedicated on Agricultural Research and Training.
According to Dr Kikwete, the decision by the government to add another Agricultural University was made in tribute to the late Sokoine who championed the country’s education development as well as the national agriculture sector in line with community development.
“The late Sokoine had donated 128 acres of land for the construction of the current Community Development Institute in Monduli, and the least we can do is to continue the former premier’s zest for education and social development.
“After recording great success with the pioneering Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro and its associate campuses, it is now high time we establish a second higher institute of education,” said Kikwete adding that with nearly 7230 scholars, SUA was getting overwhelmed.
The President assured the people that the construction for the institute will begin early next year, adding that the new college will be based in Butiama area of Musoma District, Mara region and is to be known as Julius Nyerere University of Agriculture.
The head of state was speaking in Monduli-Juu village in Monduli District where, he, together with former President, Benjamin William Mkapa and former Prime Ministers, Edward Lowassa and Salim Ahmed Salim were attending the Anniversary of the former Premier who was killed in a road accident on April 12, 1984 at Dakawa section of Morogoro region.
The wife of the first President of Tanzania, Mama Maria Nyerere also attended the Sokoine Anniversary which had attracted thousands of people at the late premier’s homestead despite the pounding rain.
In addition to the proposed Julius Nyerere University in Butiama, the government also plans to establish the Sokoine High School at Mvomero in Morogoro and the institute will also be dedicated to science subjects and the construction for the high school is ongoing, expecting to start enrolling students in 2015.
Meanwhile, Archbishop for the Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha, Dr Josephat-Louis Lebulu said the church was conducting special mass for the late Edward Sokoine because the latter valued humanity.
“We did not come here because Sokoine was a great leader, a Member of Parliament or church member, but the whole congregation here has been moved by the fact that the former Premier valued humanity and was devout person,” stated Bishop Lebulu during the special mass to honour the late Premier in Monduli.
Bishop Stanley Hotay of the Anglican Church in Tanzania, Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro said the fact that all religious sects gathered to honour the late Sokoine proved that the leader performed well in his capacity as Prime Minister.
The Head of the Tanzania Muslim Council Sheikh Issa bin Juma bin Simba said the 12th of April of each year should serve as a reminder to other leaders to be patriotic and dedicated to the nation and people’s interests.
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