Senate passes bill to establish new varsity in Imo

A bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Okigwe in Imo state has scaled third reading at the senate.

The bill, sponsored by Patrick Ndubueze, aims to provide quality education in various professional fields, including agriculture, environmental sciences, epidemiology, virology, robotics, and nuclear technology.

Speaking on Tuesday, Ndubueze added that the Imo state government had approved all necessary facilities to be taken over by the proposed institution.

During deliberations, the senate resolved into a committee of the whole, presided over by Barau Jibrin, the deputy senate president, to conduct a detailed review of the bill.

After scrutinising each clause, the bill was formally adopted and passed by lawmakers. 

Commending Ndubueze for sponsoring the bill, Jibrin said education remains the foundation of any thriving society.

“I must commend Senator Ndubueze for sponsoring the bill. Education is the bedrock of every society. Any country that treats the issue of education with levity will be doomed,” he said.

Jibrin dismissed suggestions that Nigeria has so many universities, adding that they are not enough.

“I do hope that the president will sign it so that this university will be established,” he added.