Ebonyi Assembly Passes Laws To Situate Distinctive Universities In Izzi And Ezza Lands

Thursday plenary, at the Hallowed Chamber of Ebonyi State House of Assembly will surely go down in the annals of history, as a landmark day when two ‘hittings’ of the powerful gavel, paved ways to untold development gears in Izzi and Ezza lands.

Under the confident clutch of the Honourable Speaker – Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru (FNIOB), the gavel struck two significant times, passing into Law, two magnificent Bills; HAB No 018 of 2021 – A Bill for a Law to Establish Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science and Technology, at Offerekpe Agbaja, Izzi LGA and HAB No 019 of 2021 – A Bill for a Law to Establish Ebonyi State University of Aerospace Engineering at Ezza.

In jubilant and fulfilling reaction, the Leader of the House and Honourable Member representing the people of Ezza North West Constituency, Hon. Victor Uzoma Chukwu thanked Mr. Speaker and all Honourable Members for their support in ensuring that the Bill passed, noting that it will aid greatly in harvesting great human resources.

“These exceptional Universities are to train our young brains to be self-reliant and self-sustaining. The University we have these days have just very little room to make people resourceful after training them, so we’re going to be harvesting great human resources from these areas of learning, that if deployed to the society, will help to continue to develop this state and reduce the issues of employment.” – Victor Chukwu said.

Such huge establishments are catalysts for quick economic developments in the areas. This amongst many other thoughts were the submissions of Hon. Christian Usulor, Chairman House Committee on Education and Member Representing Ezza South Constituency.

“I want to rise and thank the Executive Arm and the entire Government of Ebonyi State. Coming from Ezza Nation, this is the first time that a higher institution is sited in Ezza land. It is a welcome development. On the level of academics, it will help in human capacity building because it will push many people to go into that University. Students will learn both how to repair aeroplanes and space studying. Economically, it will boost activities and develop the area through building of hostels, selling of various items, revenue generation for the State and so on and so forth. So, Mr. Speaker I support wholeheartedly, the siting of the institutions in izzi and Ezza lands.”

In addendum, the Deputy Speaker (Onicha East Constituency), Rt. Hon. Odefa Obasi Odefa concurred with the submissions of the other Honourable Members, that the Universities of ICT, Science and Technology and that of Aerospace Engineering be sited in Izzi and Ezza lands, respectively. He equally pleaded for the consideration of the Government in bringing the University of Agriculture to Oshiri in Onicha Local Government Area.

In wrapping up the reactions, the very delighted Chief Lawmaker of the State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru (FNIOB) applauded the detribalized mien of the Honourable Members in supporting the Bill to be passed into Law.

“Thank you, my distinguished colleagues, for making these beautiful contributions knowing fully well that we’re talking of the citadels of learning. Thank you for your zeal in making this to happen. When you talk of aerospace Engineering school, you have the spacecraft, aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, structural design and dynamics, aircraft control and a whole lot. From what I know, the University should at least have more than 11 departments and if this comes to be, then Nigerians will have their roads leading to Ebonyi.

“It is good that is situated close to our airport. This is the first University of Aeronautics Engineering in the entire West Africa. What you have in other Universities are departments of Aeronautics Engineering. But with this University, everything you need as far as aircraft is concerned will be there, even an aircraft will be permanent for Students to ask practical questions. Instead of sending our children abroad, you send them here. These Universities are to create more job opportunities and breed proper professionals who will give meaning to the society.

Speaker Nwifuru continued, “when you talk of the of University of ICT, Science and Technology. Interestingly, that University is going to located in my village, and my happiness is that I am coming from a science background. I am very happy that His Excellency deemed it necessary to site it in Izzi land. This is the first University to be situated in Izzi land. So thank you my distinguished colleagues for this honour and great legislation.”

As part of the items in the order paper for the day, the House equally screened and confirmed the nominees of the Governor as Members and Ex-Officio of Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). They include:

• Chief Sabinus Nwankwegu – Member I

• Mrs. Lucy Ofefe – Member III

• Dr. Gabriel O.C. Udu – Secretary

• Comrade Leo Nkah – Ex Officio (NLC)

• Princess Kate Elebe – Ex Officio (Civil Society)

• Mr. Nathaniel Matuh – Ex Officio (NUT)

• Mrs. Grace Ngwu – Ex Officio (MOE)

• Mrs. Eucharia Offia Nwali – Ex Officio (PTA)

• Mrs. Adaeze Akochi – Ex Officio (Market Women)

Having exhausted all there were in the order paper for the day, the House adjourned for another legislative date.