We’ll ensure quality legislations for tertiary institutions-Akpabio
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has assured Nigerians of quality legislations that would boost tertiary institutions across the nation.
He said this at a one-day public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TetFund held in Abuja on Tuesday.
“the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Manchok, Kaduna State (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB.13).
“The Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2024 (SB.12).
Declaring the event opened, Akpabio who was represented by Sen. Gbenga Daniel (APC-Ogun) said that the Senate would not relent in giving Nigerians quality legislations in ensuring access to education for all across the country.
He commended the sponsors of the bills saying that the bills would add to the number of tertiary institutions in the country.
“This effort is in line with our mandate to review the availability of facilities for our great population and provide required manpower for development.
“It is expected from you as Nigerians and most especially, stakeholders in the education sector and representatives of the host communities to air their views on the need to establish these schools.
“Let me assure you that the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions will consider the memoranda sent in by organisations to serve as basis for the actualisation of these institutions.”
Sen. Sunday Katung (PDP-Kaduna) sponsored the bill on the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Manchok, Kaduna State.
He said that the establishment of the university, with its unique focus on (specific field and approach) held immense promise for the people of Kaduna south senatorial district.
Katung said that given the transformative role education played in the development of every nation and society, the university was poised to channel the untapped potential of individuals into the most beneficial avenues of growth.
“It will also offer a beacon of hope for our collective future.”
Katung said that the urgent need to establish the university was underscored by the stark reality that in spite of the significant population of the senatorial district, the opportunities for tertiary education was severely limited.
“Many of our ambitious students are forced to seek tertiary education outside the state.
“This pressing issue further accentuates the necessity of a federal tertiary institution within my senatorial district,” he said.
He said that the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Manchok was designed to identify and address society’s technological challenges and needs.
“It aims to provide solutions within the context of national development, thereby playing a crucial role in shaping our future”.
Sen. Diket Plang (APC-Plateau) sponsored the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (Repeal and Enactment) Bill.
He decried that while the country was looking to diversify the economy by utilising the gains of the mining sector, cases of illegal mining were recorded.
This he said has led to loss of millions of naira in revenue to government.
Plang said that the proposed bill when passed into law, would support efforts aimed at positioning the mining sector as a viable sector for diversifying the economy away from its excessive dependence on income from crude oil export.
Also speaking, Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau who commended the bill on Institute of Mining and Geosciences, also called for diversification of the economy away from crude oil
He said: “No Nigerian is ignorant of the fact that the oil and gas sector which has driven or economy needs an alternative.
“The biggest potential of driving the economy is the mining sector. The time has come to put organise the sector,” he said.
Earlier, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TetFund, Sen.Muhammed Dandutse said that one of the agenda of the 10th Senate was to focus on advancing education and technology.
He said that this was through the establishment and reformation of key educational institutions across the country.
Dandutse urged stakeholders in the sector to work together toward building a brighter future for Nigeria through strategic investments in education, technology.and industry.
