The Nigerian Senate has given a positive nod on the bill seeking the upgrade of the Federal College of Education Okene to Federal University of Education following a debate led by Senator Yakubu Oseni representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Senator Oseni, in a lead debate on the bill which has passed second reading today during Senate plenary, vehemently submitted that for any country to achieve meaningful political and socio-economic development, there is an urgent need to establish specialized universities where teachers (trainers) would be trained.
While citing the 1981 National Policy on Education, the lawmaker who argued that education is the sure means of developing individuals’ potentials stressed that it is equally the greatest investment that the nation can make for a quick development of its economic, political, sociological and human resources.
“Among the various educational institutions through which the nation hopes to achieve its developmental goals, specialized universities of education should take pre-eminence because they are set up to train the trainers,” he opined.
When established, the proposed Federal University of Education Okene would according to Senator Oseni perform several other functions among which were highlighted as it would provide a platform for advancement of learning for all, develop and offer academic and professional programmes that centre on technology, applied science, management and allied professional skills.
Pleading with his colleagues to give the bill the needed expeditious attention, Senator Oseni revealed that in line with Order 76(3) of the Senate Standing Order 2022 as amended, the bill has no financial implication as structures and manpower needed are already in existence in the Federal College of Education Okene.
“As we make effort to bring quality change in education sector by focusing on teacher education, I equally call on you to consider the plight of the people who are desirous of becoming professional teachers by supporting the expeditious passage of this bill,” he admonished.
