By Haruna Salami
Stakeholders in education sector on Tuesday at a Senate public hearing threw their overwhelming support behind the move to establish Federal Capital Territory University of Science and Technology, Abaji.
The stakeholders were contributing to a Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal Capital Territory [FCT] University of Science and Technology, Abaji sponsored by Senator Philip Aduda representing the FCT.
The public hearing was organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund to consider three bills for establishment of higher institutions in the country.
The other two are: “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal College of Education, Ekiadolor, Edo state” sponsored by Senator Mathew A. Urhoghide [Edo South] “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal University of Environmental Technology, Saakpwerwa Tai Ogoni, Rivers state” sponsored by Senator Barry Mpigi [Rivers South].
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita said the establishment of the above tertiary institutions, one in Abaji, FCT and two in South-south geo-political zones of the Country will remedy the acute shortage of well-trained manpower needs of most schools, improve utilitarian innovation in Science and Technology for enabling, conducive and favourable environment in Nigeria.
Speaking on the Federal Capital Territory [FCT] University of Science and Technology, Abaji, the sponsor of the bill , Philip Aduda said the bill was passed by the 8th Senate, but was denied presidential assent.
He said every infrastructure need for a world class university are already in place at the institution in Abaji and the only remaining thing is “admission of students”.
Aduda used the opportunity to invite the Senate Committee to visit the university site to see things for itself.
The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said the “NUC is in full support of the establishment of the university”.
The ES was represented by Paschal Eruaga, Head of Legal Department of the NUC.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of FCT, Mr. Adesola Olusade, who represented the Minister said it is a landmark achievement for the FCT to have their own university.
“We strongly support this as it will ameliorate the admission problems faced by FCT indigenes”, Olusade said.
Similarly, Sani Dahiry, Secretary (Education), FCT said the establishment of the university was long overdue, as only University of Abuja is the Federal University in the FCT.
According to him about 55,000 graduate from FCT secondary schools annually, adding that “many can’t gain admission to higher institutions”.
