The Enugu State House of Assembly has passed a bill for the establishment of the University of Education, Ihe in Awgu Local Government Area of the state.
This follows the adoption of a report presented by the House Committee Chairman on Education, Mr James Akadu on Tuesday during the plenary in Enugu.
Speaking before the passage of the bill, the member representing Awgu South Constituency, Mr Johnson Chukwuobasi, said the bill was long over awaited by his constituents yearning for the establishment of a university in their area.
Chukwuobasi recalled that at the inception of the current administration, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi promised to establish the University of Education in Awgu as an off-shoot of the State University of Science and Technology, ESUT.
The lawmaker added that though the state government established the university as promised, but noted that there was no legal backing for the institution, a vacuum, he said the bill would fill.
He pointed out that as a lawmaker from the area, he would ensure that all necessary actions required for the take off of the university were taken, including appropriation of funds.
Also, the member representing Aninri Constituency, Mr Chinedu Okwu, described the bill as historic, as it would open up the Awgu axis, including his constituency, to more development.
Okwu applauded the state government for establishing the academic institution in Awgu, which according to him, would bring education closer to the youths and residents of the area.
In his remark after its passage, the Speaker of the House, Chief Edward Ubosi, commended the lawmakers from Awgu for ensuring the passage of the bill.
Ubosi promised that the assembly would ensure that enough funds were appropriated for the university in the 2022 budget to enable academic activities begin in the institution.
According to the speaker, the university will help in no small measure in the development of Awgu, which has been backward in terms of development.
The House thereafter adjourned its plenary to Thursday, 12 August. (NAN)
