The Senate has passed for second reading, a bill to establish the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Egbe, in Kogi, and another bill to establish the Federal University of Education (Special), Oyo.
The 9th Senate passed “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Egbe”, which was sponsored by Sen. Karimi Sunday (APC, Kogi-West).
However, according to Sen. Sunday, in his lead debate, the bill was not signed into law before the tenure of that Senate wound down.
The 10th Senate revisited the bill, passing it for second reading on Wednesday.
Several senators also endorsed the “Bill for an Act to Provide the Establishment of Federal University of Education (Special), Oyo, and to Make Comprehensive Provisions for its Due Management and Administration and for other Related Matters, 2024.”
Sen. Akintunde Abiodun (APC, Oyo-Central), who sponsored the bill, informed senators that Nigeria had yet to have such a specialised university.
He explained that it would teach specialised skills not just for physically-challenged persons but also for everyone desirous of acquiring specialised skills.
“This is a very important bill; I urge distinguished senators to support it because of the immense benefits it will bring to Nigerians”, Sen. Abiodun stated.
Deputy President of the Senate, Sen Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano-North), while supporting the bill, confirmed that Nigeria did not have such a specialised university.
Sen. Jibrin noted, “I support this bill. It seeks to upgrade the old school mentioned in this bill to a university.
“We don’t have such a special university in this country. We have it in other parts of the world.
“In Nigeria, we need it as well and we have to make adequate preparations for teaching the disabled.
“The case here is to teach those who will teach the disabled. This makes it a very important bill and it should be supported by all.”
A similar bill also passed for second reading was “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal College of Education (Special) Karate and to Make Comprehensive Provisions for its Due Management and for other Related Matters, 2024.”
It was sponsored by Sen. Suleiman Abdulrahman-Kawu (NNPP, Kano-South).
Senators Jibrin, Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi-Central); Sen. Ekong Sampson (PDP, Akwa Ibom-South); and Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo-North), supported the second reading of the bill.
Adding his voice, Oshiomhole said, “There is ability in disability, although we do more talking about it than truly acting on it.
“Recently, Nigeria won medals at the Paralympics games, which showed much people with disabilities can add value to national development.”
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