Senate Passes Bill Establishing Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, sponsored by Senator Ekong Sampson

Senate Passes Bill Establishing Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, sponsored by Senator Ekong Sampson

…Akpabio explains importance of Bill

The Senate at plenary, earlier today, passed the Bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology (FUTIA), Ikot Abasi, sponsored by Senator Ekong Sampson (APC, Akwa Ibom South).

The Bill in its conceptualization, sought to provide legal flavour and protection for the university, which was established in 2021 by the late President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, but without any act of parliament.

Senator Sampson, recognizing the importance of the institution having a legal framework sponsored the bill to back its establishment. At the public hearing on the bill which the lawmaker also sponsored, Sampson highlighted the significance of having a technology-driven specialized institution in Akwa Ibom State.

At the plenary today, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education (Tertiary), Senator Muntari Dandutse (APC, Katsina South) while presenting the Committee’s report noted that the establishment of FUTIA and other tertiary institutions
will further deepen access to technology-based tertiary education for Nigerians.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the day’s sitting stressed the importance of the institution, noting that the university will serve the global community, not just Nigerians. He commended lawmakers and indeed the 10th Senate, for their commitment to pursuing education-driven legislation.

Sponsor of the bill, Senator Ekong Sampson has never hidden his love for education. The top parliamentarian, who established Excellence College, Ikot Unya, Mkpat Enin and ran it tuition-free for a number of years, has equally sponsored another bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Medical Sciences, Eket – which is on the floor of the Senate.

The Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin, who had earlier disbursed over one hundred million naira to students in Akwa Ibom South, with an additional N10million to students in Law School from the district, has also been pushing strongly for the take off of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron, on its full university status. The Senator in a remark stated that part of his advocacy is to ensure a tripod of tertiary education institutions well spread across the three federal constituencies of Akwa Ibom South.

After the clause by clause considerations, the FUTIA Bill was read for the third time and passed. The Senate also passed other related Bills including the Federal University of Health Sciences Funtua, Katsina State (Establishment), and the Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State (Establishment).

© Samuel Udoma