By Zacchaeus Ozovehe.
In recognition of Nigeria steel industry as a sector that requires broad spectrum of knowledge and valuable skills to function optimally, the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Yakubu Oseni has yesterday proposed a bill for the establishment of Nigeria Steel University, Ajaokuta.
Senator Oseni who is also the chairman, Senate Committee on ICT/Cybercrime had in several fora reiterated his desire to sponsor bills that would not only have direct positive impacts on his constituency but on the generality of the whole of the country.
The lawmaker while fielding questions from newsmen yesterday immediately after the plenary emphasized on how the Nigeria Steel sector remains sensitive to the industrialization drives of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, revealing that the Federal Government is on the final lapse of arrangements to revive the ailing Ajaokuta Steel Company, it is expedient to establish citadel of learning that will bridge the knowledge gap in the sector.
Speaking further, Senator Oseni who advocated for the training of local experts in the steel and mining industry said the Nigeria government may not necessarily need to hire experts from either China or Russia if the proposed Steel University is given due expeditious attention that it required.
“Aside latent multiple job creation that the Steel University will provide, steel sector is a specialized one that requires special institution to train experts that will drive the economy on the path of sustainable development,” the lawmaker averred.
Senator Yakubu Oseni however applauded his Distinguished colleagues who had so far commended him for sponsoring the bill at the material time, just as he expressed optimism that the bill having successfully passed through the first reading, will enjoy the support of all lawmakers in the remaining legislative processes.
In the same vein, a Kogi State sociocultural group, Kogi Development Renaissance Group (KDRP) has described Senator Yakubu Oseni as a nationalist whose presence at the Red Chamber has been felt in a very short period.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Adeiza Abdullateef said with the establishment of the special institution as proposed by Senator Oseni and revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company, the much-talked-about industrial revolution in Nigeria would be achieved without technological hitches.
Comrade Abdullateef however congratulated the people of Kogi State and Kogi Central in particular for giving legislative mandate to a man whose heart beats for the development of the nation, adding that the bill for the establishment of Nigeria Steel University is one of the most valuable bills in recent times.
