The Senate has approved the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende (Establishment) Bill and the Federal College of Education, Bende (Establishment) Bill, for third reading, marking a significant step towards the establishment of the two tertiary institutions in Abia State.
Sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the bills received Senate approval on Thursday following the consideration and adoption of recommendations presented by the Senate Deputy Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru.
The proposed Federal College of Education, Bende, aims to offer full-time courses and training in various disciplines, including technology, applied sciences, commerce, social sciences, arts, and humanities. The institution is expected to bridge the educational gap in the federal constituency, which has no tertiary institution despite its large population and strategic location.
In a press statement signed by the Special Adviser on Press Affairs to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, Udora Orizu, on Thursday. Hon. Kalu, in his argument for the bill, emphasised the need for an institution of higher learning in Bende, stating, “Despite its strategic location in Abia and sharing a border with Akwa Ibom, with a growing population and landmass, there is no tertiary institution in the Federal Constituency operated either by Federal or State Government.”
He further stressed that the college would help address the shortage of qualified educationists in the country.
Similarly, the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende, if passed into law, will focus on providing full-time training in medical and health sciences. The initiative, according to Hon. Kalu, is aimed at addressing the growing demand for medical professionals in Nigeria, especially in light of the ongoing brain drain in the sector.
“Specialised medical universities have become very important in Nigeria as there is increasing demand for medical and health professionals, especially now that the country keeps losing her trained medical and health personnel to other countries of the world,” Kalu noted.
With the Senate’s approval, the bills are now a step closer to becoming law, pending final legislative processes and presidential assent. The early passage and implementation of these bills, Kalu stated, is “not only necessary but imperative.”
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