By Gloria Essien, Abuja
The Nigerian Senate has held a one day Public Hearing on Bills seeking to establish five additional Federal Universities in Nigeria.
These are; Federal University Birnin-Kebbi, Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Federal College of Aviation Technology, Ilara Remo, Federal University of Applied Sciences, Manchok and Federal University of Technology Ilaro, Ogun state
The Public Hearing which drew participants from the various affected states was declared open by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Sponsors of the bills took turns to give reasons for the need to have the universities and why
Speaking on the proposed Federal University of Applied Sciences, Manchok, Senator Sunday Katung said that “the university will bring about the desired federal presence in Manchok.”
He noted that Manchok community has the capability to host the university for the promotion of knowledge and development of the area and Kaduna state as a whole.
On his part, Senator Gbenga Daniel said that the School of Aviation Technology Zaria has been the only school servicing Nigeria for years.
He stressed that the establishment of the Federal College of Aviation Technology, Ilara Remo, would supplement the one in Zaria and improve outputs.
Similarly, Senator Diket Plang while making case for the repealing of the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Jos, and establishment of Nigerian University of Mining said that it will depend knowledge of mining in the country.
He said that “it was important to have a university that will explore the mining knowledge in Nigeria.”
“The purpose of this Bill is to because we are endowed with mineralogy. And if God has blessed us with minerals, we have no option than to study further, so that we have sufficient experience, we’ll be equip to know what we have, process what we have rather than have strangers around our houses,” Senator Plang said.
He called for support for the passage of the bill.
In his submission, the Governor of Plateau State who came to show support for the bill said that the establishment of the Mining University Jos, would fulfill the dream of the state
There were contributions from the hosts communities, the academia and other stakeholders all in support of the Bill
Chairman Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Senator Muhammed Dandutse appreciated the stakeholders at the hearing and promised that justice will be done to the bills
Mercy Chukwudiebere
