Jennifer Ugwueke
A bill seeking to upgrade the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti to a full- fledged University of Education, Science and Technology has been passed by Ekiti Assembly.
The House, at its plenary on Tuesday presided over by Speaker Funminiyi Afuye, unanimously passed the bill into law following a holistic consideration of the report of its committee on Education, Science and Technology.
While presenting the report, the Committee Chairman Hon. Kemi Balogun said the upgrade of the institution to a University would stimulate the economy’s need for requisite technical and scientific skills.
She added the upgrade would also address demands for technology-oriented tertiary education the State required to function in the overall interest of its citizenry.
According to the report, the Transitional Provision of Section 38 would give room to existing students of the College of Education lkere- Ekiti after effective date of the Law to complete their course of study as stipulated.
The report after been ratified by the Committee of the House was read by the Clerk of the House, Mr Tola Esan and unanimously passed.
The Executive bill was titled:” A Bill for a Law to provide for the Establishment, Incorporation, Constitution, Powers and Functions of the University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti and Other Matters Therewith. ”
Speaker Afuye and member representing Ikere constituency 2 Tunde Idowu, praised Governor Kayode Fayemi and their colleagues for their contributions towards the speedy passage of the bill.
Afuye and Idowu, who hails from Ikere-Ekiti, in Ikere Local Government Area, assured the new University of Education, Science and Technology would bring about social and economic development to Ikere-Ekiti, the state, Nigeria and the world at large.