The National Universities Commission (NUC) yesterday ac-credited Taraba state university, bringing the number to 94 universities in the country.

There are 27 federal universities and 33 state universities, the Taraba State University, Jalingo, the newest just accredited by the NUC.

The Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, while making the formal presentation of a letter of recognition to the Taraba State University, Jalingo, said more universities will be accredited to help ease the problem of access so that more students will have opportunity to attend tertiary institutions.

Speaking to the governor of Taraba state, Pharmacist Danbaba Suntai, who came to the NUC with a team of Professors to receive the licence, Okojie adviced that programmes to be offered at the university should be in line with the seven point agenda of President Umaru Yar'adua and also cover the MDG goals, which is presently bedeviling the country.

He called on the university to focus on subjects that will help build a viable workforce capable of making Nigeria one of the 20 best economies in the world.

Okojie who was once a Vice chancellor of a state and federal university, said ', the university grounds should be used to breed brains and develop a viable work force that would be useful in our economy, that is the main function of any university,' he added.

He continued, 'that is why a proper curriculum must be put in place; one which the institution can achieve and not a far-fetched one which will run programmes that it is not equipped to handle that will not be good for the system,' he added.

He called on the governor to concentrate on programmes that are in high demand in the market and also asked him to encourage service based organization that would help shape the lives of the students.

Receiving the licence, Governor Danbaba Suntai promised that the university will take off immediately and will offer courses in agriculture, education, engineering and the social sciencies which he said are in line with the seven point agenda of President Yar'adua.