Senate Approves Science, Tech Varsity for FCT

* Steps down debate on electoral amendment bill
* Confirms Durnnguwa as NPC commissioner

The Senate on Thursday approved the establishment of a Science
and Technology University for the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT).

It equally stood down the consideration of the report of the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the INEC Act
2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

The Senate’s approval of the Science and Technology University
for the FCT is coming 17 months after the Federal Executive Council
(FEC) had at one of its weekly meetings in May 2017 approved the
establishment of the specialised university in Abaji.

Presenting the report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions
and TETFUND at plenary for the establishment of the university, its
Chairman, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North), urged the Senate
to receive and consider the report of the committee for the
establishment of FCT University of Science and Technology (Est,
etc) Bill, 2018.

He urged his colleagues to approve the establishment of the
university because the location is central and will generate
employment opportunities for the residents of Abaji and its
environ.

Senator Philip Aduda (PDP FCT), who sponsored the bill for the
establishment of the university, told newsmen after plenary that
all was set for the take-off of the university by next academic
session.

He disclosed that collaborative efforts were being made to get
similar passage in the House of Representatives for the required
presidential assent.

According to him, 500 hectares of land had already been provided
for the university in Abaji Area Council of the FCT aside blocks of
classrooms and equipment also put in place by FCTA.

“As the senator representing FCT and the sponsor of this bill,
I’m very elated with its passage today in the Senate and happy to
inform you that required concurrence from the House of
Representatives will be carried out soonest for the awaiting
presidential assent being a project conceived and approved by the
federal government in May last year.

“FCT needs a university of its own outside the University of
Abuja established in 1988 to cater for more and more people seeking
for university education within the territory and in Nigeria at
large,” he said.

Also Thursday, the Senate stood down
the consideration of its Committee on INEC on the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill,
2018.

The Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, said the Senate had to
defer debate on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to another day so
as to give the committee headed by Senator Suleiman Nazif ( PDP
Bauchi North) enough time to do a thorough legislative work on the
Bill.

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, in agreeing with Lawan,
then said the committee’s report will be stood down till next
Tuesday.

Saraki said: “The Electoral Act Amendment Bill will now be
presented at plenary by INEC committee on Tuesday.”

The Senate after a heated debate also Thursday confirmed the
appointment of Dr. Abdulmalik Durnnguwa as the Commissioner of the
National Population Commission (NPC).

Some senators had faulted the presentation of the Chairman of
the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and National
Population Commission, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (PDP Kaduna North),
about the credentials of Durnnguwa while presenting him for
confirmation.

The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujinmi, wondered
how the nominee can obtain his primary school leaving certificate
at the age of 10.

The Senate President quickly interjected and said: “We have
passed that stage, let’s do the needful as the committee has done
its work.”

He thereafter put the nominee’s name into voice vote and the
‘ayes’ had it.

Earlier, the Senate had gone into a close-door session upon
resumption of plenary immediately after Saraki said the opening
prayer at 11.45 am.

At the end of the session that lasted for only 15 minutes,
Saraki said the session discussed issues of national importance as
it affects the National Assembly in general and Senate in
particular.

EFCC Warns on Fake Magu on Fayode Tape, Receives US Ambassador
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission wishes to alert the
general public about an audio recording of a conversation currently
circulating in the social media in which the Acting Chairman of the
Commission, Ibrahim Magu, purportedly made comments to the effect
that, nothing will […]

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