The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading, a bill to establish the Federal University of Okigwe, Imo state.
This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Senator Ndubueze Patrick (APC – Imo North) at plenary on Thursday.
Senator Patrick said the bill sought to provide for the establishment of Federal University Okigwe in Imo state.
According to him, the institution will be saddled with the main function of providing quality education that would train the younger generation in different professional fields both at graduate and postgraduate levels.
He listed the fields to include agriculture, environmental sciences, epidemiology and virology, robotics, and nuclear technology.
Senator Patrick said the training of the young Nigerians on the courses would not only reduce unemployment but also guarantee food security for the host state and the nation at large.
He said the proposed site for the federal university has a first phase built up with structures meant for the engineering faculty which has been abandoned.
The Senator said the Imo state government has graciously approved all the facilities to be taken over by the proposed federal university.
This he said would result in a minimal initial cost outlay to start the institution.
“The location is a large expanse of land in a serene environment on the bank of Imo River away from the hustle, bustle, and noise associated with the city.
“It is therefore suitable for research and learning, the establishment of a Federal University in the Okigwe zone in Imo North will come with the employment of junior workers from the area.
“This will reduce youth unemployment and bring the incidence of insecurity to a manageable level,” he said.
He said the arable nature of the area would be of immense benefit to the proposed federal university, in the area of agricultural research and production.
“The university, if put in place, will complement the inadequate opportunity for university education provided by the few tertiary institutions in the South East zone.
“It will thus give the south easterners a sense of belonging and enhance national unity since admission will cut across Nigeria as a whole.”
University’s Objectives
According to him, the objectives of the university among others, include the provision of higher education for qualified JAMB candidates who have been repeatedly sitting for the exams due to lack of vacancy for admission.
“Other objectives include the provision of relevant professional courses and training research in agriculture, fisheries, environmental sciences and technology, and more importantly nuclear technology.
“Others are cancer and health-related studies with well-equipped faculties and departments to give the students required knowledge in the specialized fields,” he said.
He said the establishment of the school would help improve food security considering the proximity of the university to the Imo River.
He urged lawmakers to support the bill for its second reading.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, shortly after the bill was read the second time referred it to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further legislative inputs and to be returned to plenary in four weeks.
Comments are closed.