The Senate on Thursday
passed the City University of Technology (Est, etc) Yaba Bill, 2018 for second
reading.
The decision followed a
motion by Senator Gbenga Ashafa (APC-Lagos) at the plenary presided over by
Senate President Bukola Saraki in Abuja.
Essentially, the bill seeks
to transform the Yaba College of Technology (YabaTech) in Lagos State, to the
City University of Technology, Yaba.
Leading the debate, Ashafa,
representing Lagos East Senatorial District, argued that if the bill is
considered, it would enhance the capability of the institution to achieve its
objectives.
He said: “Nigeria’s steady
march towards education for all in the shortest possible time has taken a giant
leap with the introduction of this bill.
“I am personally excited by
the prospect of transforming this polytechnic to a university of technology
because it will motivate both students and academic staff. It will also upgrade
the facilities and enhance it capability to achieve its objectives.
“Similarly, the new
university of technology will encourage the advancement of learning and hold
out to all persons without distinction of race, creed, sex or political
conviction the opportunity of acquiring a higher and liberal education.”
Citing instances, the
lawmaker noted that in similar circumstances in the United Kingdom (UK), most
of the polytechnics were upgraded to universities.
“If Nigeria has plan to
become one of the world’s leading economies as currently being pursued by
government, we must be ready to adjust and position our educational
institutions so that its products are geared for the technological challenges
inherent in such projections,” he said.
According to him, the
attainment of university status would definitely enhance the operations of the
Yaba Polytechnic and clarify its mission and vision.
Lawmakers, who contributed to
the motion, also supported it.
When the motion was put on
a voice vote, it was unanimously adopted by the legislators.
Saraki referred the bill to
Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further legislative
action and report back within a week.
Similarly, the Senate also
passed a Bill for the Establishment of Federal Polytechnic, Iwerekun,
Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, sponsored by Ashafa for second reading
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