Reps Push For New Federal Polytechnic In Benue

The House of Representatives is enacting a law to establish Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo, Benue State, to provide full—and part-time courses of instruction in different fields of study for human capital development.

Speaking at the public hearing on the “Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Polytechnic Act Cap. F17. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to establish Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo, Benue State, the sponsor, Hon.Terseer Ugbor, said if the institution would address the state’s educational imbalance and unlock the youth‘s potential.

The lawmaker representing the Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency appealed to his colleagues and stakeholders to support the bill, which failed to pass in the 8th Assembly. 110 hectares of land were donated, and initial structures were raised in anticipation of the polytechnic’s establishment.

“The groundwork for this institution was laid during the 8th National Assembly when Distinguished Senator Barnabas Gemade sponsored a bill for its establishment. The community, demonstrating their unwavering commitment, generously donated a vast tract of land measuring 110 hectares. Furthermore, primary infrastructure was put in place, with buildings erected in anticipation of the takeoff of the polytechnic.

“Unfortunately, despite these commendable efforts and investments, the bill did not successfully pass for reasons that remain unclear to my constituents. This unforeseen setback has become a deeply emotional issue for my people as the physical manifestation of their hopes, the buildings, now stand idle, a poignant reminder of what could have been.

„Mr Chairman and Honourable Members, I would like to bring to your attention a glaring disparity in the educational landscape within our state despite our local government producing five vice-chancellors who have served at the state and national levels. The Benue North-East Senatorial District (Zone A), where this proposed polytechnic will be located, has seven Local Governments with a population of over a million people without a single federal institution of higher learning, neither a Polytechnic, University or an institution of higher education of any kind.

„In contrast, Zone B (Benue North-West) boasts of 5 higher institutions, including the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (formerly Federal University of Agriculture), the Federal Polytechnic Wanunne, the Benue State University Makurdi, the Akperan Orshi Polytechnic Yandev and the Akawe Torkula Polytechnic in Makurdi. Zone C (Benue South) has four institutions, including the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, the Federal College of Education, Odugbo, the College of Education, Oju and the Benue Polytechnic, Ugbokolo.

„The Benue North-East (Zone A) can only boast a state College of Education in Katsina-Ala. This disparity is not only unjust but also disadvantageous to the educational and economic development of our youths. It is pertinent to state here that Kwande Local Government, where Adikpo is located, boasts of one of the highest numbers of secondary schools in Benue State,“ he said.

Ugbor said the proposed polytechnic will offer various information technology, engineering, healthcare, and entrepreneurship programmes. These programmes will be designed to meet the needs of the local communities and provide students with the skills and training required to fill in-demand jobs.

„Also, by providing access to affordable and high-quality education, we can help level the playing field for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. We can give them the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and achieve their full potential.

„Given these indisputable facts, I wish to enlist your strong support for the passage of this bill as the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo, would not only address the state‘s educational imbalance but also unlock the potential of the children from this region, whom will also stand a chance to benefit from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) initiated by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration,“ he added.

In his remarks, the chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Hon. Fuad Laguda, said the primary objectives of establishing the polytechnic and College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition in Illela Sokoto State are to teach and train technicians and middle-level Nigerians who will serve as catalysts for rapid industrialisation and development of the actual economic sector.

„This public hearing is organised for the following Bills: A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Polytechnic Act Cap. F17. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to establish Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo, Benue State to provide full and part-time courses of instruction to different fields of study and
for related matters (HB. 1373) — Sponsored by Hon. Terseer Ugbor.

„A Bill for an Act to establish National College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition, tilela, Sokoto State to provide full-time courses, teaching instruction and training in Technology, Applied Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities and Management and for related matters (HB. 927) — Sponsored by Hon. Isah Bello Ambarura.

„I persuade all of you to support the passage of these Bills into Law because they are timely and strongly align with our quest for strategic educational progress and sustainable human capital development in Nigeria,“ he noted.