By Austin Ogwuda
A Bill sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) seeking to upgrade the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba to the Federal University of Technology, Asaba passed its First Reading during today’s (Wednesday) plenary in the Senate.
Recall that it had been the dream of the departed Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof Chike Edozien that a Federal University be established in Asaba.
Titled ‘A Bill for An Act to Alter the Federal Universities of Technology Act, Cap. F23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to Provide for the Upgrade of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba to the Federal University of Technology, Asaba, and for Related Matters’, it seeks to amend the existing legislation governing Federal Universities of Technology.
The proposed amendment will alter section 1(1) of the Federal Universities of Technology Act by inserting a new subsection (f), which will officially establish the Federal University of Technology, Asaba, as one of Nigeria’s Federal Universities of Technology.
The explanatory Memorandum attached to the Bill emphasizes that, by upgrading the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba to a full-fledged University, the Bill intends to expand its academic offerings and align it with the national objectives of promoting higher education in technology. It also explained that the Bill’s primary aim is to enhance the role of the institution in advancing technological education and research.
The departed Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof Chike Edozien during his reign had at different fora clamoured for such a dream to be realised.
While speaking with journalists in Asaba on the 5th of July 2019, Obi Edozien said “I appeal to the Federal government to intervene in the situation and compensate the people of Asaba over the 1967 massacre which claimed the lives of many by establishing a Federal University in the town”.
Also in April 29, 2022, he equally renewed the call when the then Vice President Yemi Osibanjo paid him a courtesy visit at his palace, to seek for prayers and royal blessings ahead his 2023 presidential ambition.
The then Asagba recalled how he spoke with the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, the on the need to establish a Federal University as far back as 1995 when he (Gowon) came calling.
