technology, applied sciences, commerce, social sciences, arts and
humanities among others was sponsored by Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia)
at plenary on Thursday.
The bill was read the first time in the hallowed chamber on Wednesday,
June 10, 2020.
Leading the debate, Kalu said that the importance of education in the
society cannot be overemphasised saying that education is important for
a happy and stable life, for better income and livelihood and for social
equality.
According to him, education makes a person self- dependent, turns dreams
into reality and makes the world a better and safer place.
On the location, Kalu said Bende Local Government Area of Abia is the
single oldest and largest Local Government Area in the South-East
geo-political zone.
“Bende has remained undivided since its creation in 1976, even though
with the size of four Local Government Areas as found in comparative
federal constituencies.
“Despite its strategic location in Abia and sharing border with Akwa
Ibom, with a growing population and land mass, there is no tertiary
institution in the Federal Constituency operated either by Federal or
State Government.
“Bende deserves to have the presence of a tertiary institution to serve
the education need of the teeming youthful population, especially now
that the need for well-trained educationists has risen.
“This is accompanied with the need to fill the gaps created by both the
consequences of brain drain and the lack of qualified educationists to
provide quality training at all levels of education,” he said.
In his ruling, the Speaker of the house , Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila
referred bill to House Committee on Tertiary Education for further
legislative actions.
Recall that a Bill for an Act to establish Federal College of
Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi passed second reading in the House of
Representatives on Wednesday.
The bill which was also sponsored by Kalu seeks to ensure adoption of
agricultural techniques, enhance research and development in
agriculture.
“It will also serve as catalyst for effective agricultural education
system through training, research and innovation, for effective economic
utilisation and conservation of the country’s human and material
resources.
“It will identify the modern agricultural education needs of the society
with a view to finding solutions in the interest of national
development,” he said. (NAN)