By Hamilton Nwosa (Head The New Diplomat, Business, Data and Trend Tracking Desk)
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed for second reading the bill seeking to establish a Federal Polytechnic in the Orogun area of Delta State. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase presided over the plenary, and the House accordingly passed the bill at second reading.
The reading was however opposed by Nicholas Ossai but his voice was feeble, and drowned as the vast majority of the House members were in total and full concurrence of the bill seeking the establishment of a Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State. Educational improvement, and technical skills development for relevant sectors of the Nigerian economy especially in the Niger Delta region which the bill seeks to provide is desirable, House members reasoned.
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The bill to ‘Provide for Establishment of Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State,’ which was sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has been passed by the Senate, and was accordingly transmitted to the House of Representatives for its concurrence.
Recall that in proposing the establishment of the proposed Federal Polytechnic in Orogun Delta state, the Deputy Senate President, Omo-Agege had premised his justification on several grounds, including the fact that the institution would further contribute to the development of technical and vocational education in Nigeria while raising the requisite manpower needed for the oil and gas production industry in the Niger Delta.
While speaking during a public hearing on the subject matter in Abuja late last year, Senator Omo-Agege alongside participants which included academics, traditional rulers and opinion leaders had expressed strong support for the establishment of the proposed institution.
The event was organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, and was declared open by the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, who noted that it was remarkable that out of numerous memoranda received for the public hearing, there was no single objection to the proposal for the institution’s establishment. Senate President Lawan was represented by the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Robert Ajayi Borrofice at the event.
Senator Omo-Agege who represents Delta Central at the Senate had stated that he sponsored the bill in response to constituents’ yearnings for a technical institution to bridge skill gaps and also combat youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
In his words: “I moved to sponsor this Bill because, like all senatorial constituencies, the Urhobo ethnic nationality of Delta Central Senatorial District as the 5th largest ethnic group in Nigeria, and indeed all Deltans, deservedly expect me as their voice here to negotiate fruitfully on their behalf, represent and defend their interests unreservedly, responsibly and courageously. Like every Distinguished Member of this Committee, I do not take these expectations lightly.
“The proposed Federal Polytechnic Orogun is conceived as an institution for academic excellence in fulfillment of the Federal Government’s policy of establishing at least one federal polytechnic in every State of the Federation. It will be an institution with an all-embracing statutory mandate to develop a wide range of professionals in Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences, Sciences, the Arts and Humanities, among others.
“This Polytechnic is coming to resolve a huge challenge presently affecting a great majority of our otherwise qualified tertiary education admission seekers who are mainly products of Delta’s more than 1,126 public primary schools, 500 secondary schools and 1,000 private schools…
“It will create needed admission opportunities for young Nigerians and help us to better manage the social decay that often grows from the frustration of our future leaders who are unjustly denied access to the tertiary education they desperately need to shape their lives. It is for all Deltans and Nigerians.”
Recall also that the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh had said the proposed polytechnic will satisfy the yearnings of admission seekers, provide the needed manpower for the oil and gas industry as well as boost socio-economic activities in Delta State and the Niger Delta region in general. Others who also spoke in support of the bill include Professor Temi Akponunor, Dr. Augustine Ebiai from the Nigerian Army University in Biu and Dr. (Mrs) Veronica Ogbuagu, a former Commissioner for Education in Delta State, among others. The occasion was attended by traditional rulers including the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Orhue 1, Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo; Okiemute Onajite, Igere 1, Ovie of Ogor Kingdom as well as Richard Ebele, Okorefe 1, Ovie of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom.
