Sen. Diket Plang (APC/Plateau Central) has lauded Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang-Buba, and others for attending a Senate public hearing on a bill to upgrade the Nigerian Institute of Mining, Jos to a Federal University.
Diket, who sponsored the bill, told newsmen on Sunday in Jos that he was humbled to see Mutfwang and Buba, who was accompanied by six other first-class chiefs.
The Senate Committee Chairman on Labour and Productivity, said that the overwhelming attendance, which included the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, underscored the importance of the university.
The lawmaker stated that Nigeria had various specialised universities, like the Petroleum University in Warri and the Marine University, due to the country’s natural endowments.
Plang, however, said that there was no dedicated university for mining in the country.
According to him, there is a need to repeal the law establishing the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences and upgrade it to the Federal University of Mining and Geosciences in Jos.
“This university will deepen our knowledge in exploration, exploitation, mineral processing, and packaging.
“I am thankful to the Senate for supporting my bill, which was the second bill in the 10th Senate that passed the first and second readings speedily.
“During the public hearing, we received overwhelming support.
“I thank the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, the deputy vice chancellor, and various stakeholders, including religious leaders, who attended the public hearing.
“By the grace of God, this bill will pass the third reading, and I am certain President Bola Tinubu will sign it into law.
“Nigeria will then have a dedicated technical university to increase our productivity in solid minerals,” he stated.
Plang further said that he had another bill for the establishment of the National Eye Centre in Pushit, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau.
He explained that the centre would help reduce blindness and support the School for the Blind in Gindiri, which was accommodating more than 300 blind children.
The senator disclosed that the bill had passed its first reading and would provide a special medical centre for people in the north-central and north-eastern parts of Nigeria. (NAN)
