A bill seeking to establish the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti, has passed second reading in Senate.
This followed the consideration of the bill at plenary on Thursday.
Presenting the bill, its sponsor, Sen.Bamidele Opeyemi (APC-Ekiti) said the bill, when passed into law, would develop world-class technologists, as well as the human resources needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Bamidele said that the purpose of the bill was to create more access to university education in view of the large number of qualified candidates seeking university admission.
According to him, the applicants are annually stranded in their failed attempts to gain admission into universities in the country.
“The objectives of the university are, first and foremost, to set up an ultra-modern institution that will develop world-class technologists, as well as human resources that can sustainably manage our nation’s economy by providing technical and management expertise at the highest level.
“The university, when established, will further advance knowledge through research and nurture unique technological innovation, entrepreneurship and wealth management in its core area of interest.
“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the enactment of this bill will help in transforming the technological and educational fortune in producing the desired manpower and expertise that Nigeria is yearning for, to exponentially speed up our economic growth and ensure sustainable development,” he said.
Contributing, Sen.Ahmed Lawan (APC-Yobe) said the bill was passed by the 9th National Assembly.
“I wholeheartedly support this bill, the bill is worthwhile because technology and environmental sciences are very important, indeed crucial, for every country worldwide, especially in the 21st century.
“If we want to develop, like most countries are today, we have to move away from being extremely traditional. We cannot afford to continue with this basic thing. In most cases, outdated courses are taught in our schools or universities.
“This is the 21st century. And human beings, more appropriately, human resources, should be the source of developing our country, we have had petroleum from the 1950s to date, ” he said.
The former Senate President said that it was high time to establish institutions that were 21st Century inclined to engender knowledge-based economy.
“We are still grappling with poverty, unemployment and so on. Some countries have nothing, but human beings, yet they have made tremendous progress, a good example is Singapore.
“Aside, most countries are now embracing knowledge-based economies, I believe the time is right.
“When we establish a new institution, it should be an institution that will provide education and enlightenment for the 21st century development agenda,” he added.
Corroborating Lawan’s position, Sen.Victor. Umeh(LP-Anambra) said that the university would focus on technology and environmental sciences.
“In this country, Mr. President, time has come when we shall be establishing specialised universities to pursue certain areas and fields of knowledge.
“By focusing on the advancement of technology and environmental sciences, we are confining this university to these two important areas.
“When we produce graduates from this university, we will be thinking of graduates with excellent knowledge,” Umeh said.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin, referred the bill to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for further inputs.
NAN
