Reps wants to convert State College Of Education Katsina-Ala To Varsity | EduCeleb
EduCeleb
28th September 2021
The House of Representatives on Tuesday advanced move to convert the College of Education, Katsina-Ala in Benue state, to Federal University of Education Katsina- Ala, as it passed the establishment Bill for second reading.
Should that bill eventually scale through, that would be the third federal university in the state.
The proposed bill is being sponsored by Hon. Richard Gbande, Member representing Katsina- Ala/Ukum/ Logo Federal Constituency of the state.
Leading the debate on the general principle of the Bill, Hon. Gbande stated that the House Bill (HB.539) passed First Reading on Thursday 28th November, 2019.
The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce argued that education is the best weapon against poverty and remains the soul of modern society.
The lawyermaker further argued that it is a constitutional provision for the government to ensure adequate educational opportunities at all levels as enshrined in section 18(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
He opined that the upgrade of College of Education Katsina-Ala to Federal University of Education will serve as educational training ground for his constituents and Benue North- East Zone with the largest land mass and estimated population of about 2 million people who are currently without a University.
Gbande also noted that the acquisition of quality tertiary education is not only desirable but inevitable in the 21st century.
He stated other benefits of the University when enacted into law to include wider employment opportunities and further institutional research on the security challenges bedeviling the country.
The bill was unanimously passed for 2nd reading and referred to the House Committee on Tertiary Education for further Legislative action.