By Sanni Onogu, Abuja
Senate President Ahmad Lawan has called for a more functional system of education that will make the economy grow better.
Lawan spoke on Thursday at plenary in Abuja while supporting the second reading of a Bill to Establish the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State.
The Bill, titled: “A Bill for a Act to Establish the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State, to provide full time courses in technology, applied science, management and other fields of studies and to make provisions for the General Administration and for Other Related Matters, 2019,” was sponsored by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege.
The Senate President noted that no amount of investment would be too much to train a critical mass of Nigerians who will in turn contribute to the nation’s economic growth.
He said: “There are countries that survive without natural resources. Their people are given very functional and relevant education. That is why they can function.
“They can take any job; they can work anywhere. In fact, they export their people’s knowledge, capacities and skills. So, we have to do the same.
“Our (education) system has to be functional. What this Bill seeks to do is to create that critical mass of our people who will be trained in this very vital sector of our economy.
“Therefore, we should extend this beyond the Federal polytechnic that will be looking at the issue of petroleum alone.
“The ICT and so many other things are today providing so much to those countries that have been able to get their people trained. So, we just have to do the same…”
Read Also: Lawan, Gbajabiamila intervene in ex-lawmakers’ aides’ severance pay delay
“No amount of investment will be too much because other economies actually depend on the ability of the people that they have trained.”
In his lead debate, Omo-Agege said the polytechnic will cater for the teeming youths in Delta State and its environs, especially those who are yearly denied admission into existing tertiary institutions.
He stressed that the institution would also provide jobs for the residents and in turn reduce criminality in the Niger Delta region.
The Deputy Senate President, who represents Delta Central, noted that the polytechnic would also bring education closer to residents of the region.
Omo-Agege said: “The absence of such an all-embracing Federal Academic Institution with statutory approval to develop a wide range of professionals is a limitation that is of serious concern to our leaders and people. It is a huge challenge affecting a great majority of our otherwise qualified tertiary education admission seekers who are often denied admission based on quotas and ‘catchment areas’.
“By establishing the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, this Senate would be creating an institution that would, amongst others, develop top quality human resource portfolios in many areas of need in both the private and public sectors; design, develop and deliver cutting-edge education and training programmes for our professionals; engage in strategic research and development activities for broad national development; and take leadership roles in promoting the economic development of the immediate community and the society at large through specific education, training and outreach activities.”
Other senators who spoke in favour of the bill included Senate Minority Whip Phillip Aduda (PDP, FCT); Ibikunle Amosun (APC, Ogun Central); George Sekibo (PDP, Rivers East); Onor Ojang (PDP, Cross River Central).
The Bill was approved for second reading through a unanimous voice vote when Lawan put the question to the senators, after its endorsement by the senators.
The Senate President referred the Bill to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETfund for further legislative work.
Leave a Reply