By Sanni Onogu, Abuja
The Senate on Tuesday read for a third time and passed a Bill which seeks to upgrade the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, to a University of Technology.
The Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of Federal University of Technology, Ilaro and for other matters connected therewith” was sponsored by Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West).
It could be recalled that the Bill was originally sponsored by Senator Adeola in the 8th Senate but could not be passed before the expiration of the 8th Senate and it was again represented in the 9th Senate for consideration and passage.
The passage followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, by Senator Sadiq Umar Sulaiman (Kwara North) on behalf of the chairman of the committee, Senator Ahmad Babba-Kaita (Katsina North) at plenary.
Sulaiman said there is need to expand opportunities for advanced education in technology in the state.
He added that the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro to a University of Technology would be of tremendous benefit to the host community, provide employment, educational development and increase avenue for degree awards in technological fields by Nigerian youths.
The President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan congratulated Senator Adeola for the passage of the Bill that he had pursued since the 8th Senate.
Senator Adeola, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Odunaro, said the passage of the Bill marks a fulfilment of one of his legislative agenda in relation to institutional development of education at all levels.
He added the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, has enough facilities for the take-off of a university with less expenditure that would have been required for the establishment a new university
-Nation