The Senate has passed a bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, lyin, Ekiti.

The bill’s passage followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND at plenary on Tuesday.

The report was presented by Mohammed Muntari (APC-Katsina).

Mr Muntari, in his lead debate, said the Senate had, at plenary on October 26, debated the general principles of the bill for an act to provide for the establishment of the university.

He said the bill sought to provide a legislative framework to support the establishment of the university.

Mr Muntari said the school was designed to develop and offer academic and professional programmes leading to the award of diplomas, first degrees, postgraduate research and higher degrees.

The senator said the university would act as an agent and catalyst for national development through technological innovation for effective and economic utilisation of the nation’s economic and human resources.

According to him, the committee engaged with relevant stakeholders, who expressed their views on the merits and demerits of the bill for an act to establish the university.

He said their views were in consonance with the legislative agenda of the 10th Senate.

According to Mr Muntari, the stakeholders and all the participants unanimously agreed on the intentions of the bill.

He said the stakeholders believed that the establishment of the proposed university would bring socio-economic growth through the development of the region and would encourage prospective youths to take advantage of the proximity of the institution to get educated.

Mr Muntari said it was the view of stakeholders that the passage of the bill would no doubt give the people of the region a sense of belonging as it would be seen as one of the dividends of democracy.

(NAN)