By Deji Elumoye
The Senate has passed a bill upgrading Auchi Polytechnic in Edo state to University of Technology.
It also passed two other bills for the establishment of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Delta State and Federal College of Education, Giwa in Kaduna State.
The upper legislative chamber passed the three bills following a clause-by-clause consideration of the report of its Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, chaired by Senator Ahmad Baba-Kaita during plenary.
While the bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Maritime University was sponsored by Senator James Manager, the other two to establish the City University of Technology, Auchi; and Federal College of Education, Giwa, were sponsored by Senators Francis Alimikhena and Uba Sani respectively.
Presenting the report, Senator Baba-Kaita, said the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi was currently running degree programmes in affiliation with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State with enrollment of over 50, 000 students on full and part time basis
He said that upgrading the institution to a federal university would provide training of high skills in the areas of technical and vocational education.
