The Bill sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu, for the establishment of Bola Tinubu University of Languages at Aba in Abia State has elicited mixed reactions from political pundits who expressed disappointment over the development.
A former federal lawmaker, Hon Jerry Uzosike, who represented Umuahia South federal constituency, in his reaction, berated the Deputy Speaker who he accused of playing to the gallery.
He urged Hon Kalu to jettison the idea of calling for a Bola Tinubu university of Languages and channel his efforts towards facilitating the establishment of a conventional university that will offer professional courses like Law, Medicine and……………………among others.
The ex-federal law maker who commended the Deputy Speaker’s efforts at the national assembly said, he believes he has the capacity to attract a conventional federal university to Abia State and urged him to do so without delay.
Hon Uzosike, who stated this in a statement he issued recently said, “It is important to note that Abia State remains the only state without a conventional Federal University. During President Jonathan’s tenure, federal universities were approved for every state except Abia, based on the argument that we had the Federal University of Agriculture. While the then Vice-Chancellor made strides to elevate MOUAU to a conventional status, increasing student enrollment from under 10,000 to 35,000, those gains were lost after his departure due to the university’s legislative framework, which limited its offerings to agriculture and related courses”.
“Furthermore, when General Ihejirika served as Chief of Army Staff, he established a military language school in Isukwuato, unfortunately few years later, military university was launched in the North and the New military university also offer languages. Had the language school st ISUKWUATO made a conventional military university encompassing a broader range of courses, it could have significantly advanced local development within ISIKWUATO area and Abia at Large”
“Now, with your energetic and determined leadership, there is no better time to establish a university where our children can pursue degrees in Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Engineering, Social Sciences, and more”.
According to Honourable Jerry, A conventional Federal University would also be positioned to be self-sustainable, preparing for any future policies that may require institutions to support themselves.
“Given your impressive legislative track record, I am confident that you have the ability to secure a conventional university for Abia, ensuring our children do not have to travel to Ebonyi State f and other far locations for programs like Nursing and Pharmacy and others”. He concluded.
