By Akinwale Kasali
The Lagos State House of Assembly headed by Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa is making a move to give teeth to the establishment of two new Universities in the State. They are a University of Education and a University of Science and Technology.
The Assembly, on Thursday, debated two bills proposing the establishment of the two two tertiary institutions. The bill has scaled
its second reading.
The Lawmakers stated their commitment and determination for the State to have the two said Universities to further accommodate prospective students who intend to schooled in the discipline and be more grounded.
Obasa said he has asked the House Committee on Education (Tertiary) to report back in two weeks, for the House to work assiduously for the dream to become reality.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House, Eromosele Ebhomele, said the lawmakers argued that the bill for a law to provide for the establishment of the University of Education, Lagos, UNEDLAG, was important as it was suggested that it should also have provision for pre-degree programmes.
Hon. Bisi Yusuff, representing Alimosho Constituency suggested a provision in the bill that would make graduates be somewhat independent rather than search for jobs.
“The inclusion of vocational training will also make the students be self-employed,” he said.
On his part, Hon. Sani Okanlawon said it had become important for the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education and the Michael Otedola College of Education to be upgraded to a university.
“The society now rejects NCE and what is the benefit of going to a school that your certificate will not be recognised?
“Admission into this school is the lowest as only 18 applicants chose (ACCOED) as first choice in the last Universal Tertiary Matriculations Examinations (UTME).
“With the creation of this varsity, it will reduce the number of applicants seeking admission to LASU,” he said.
Also contributing, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, representing Eti-Osa 2 Constituency agreed with his colleagues on the need to upgrade the two colleges of education in the state to a university, said the NCE is no longer popular.
According to him, the establishment of the university is timely, but “there is need to have a template to form the institution in order to avoid overlap.”
Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. David Setonji, supported the bill and added that the state had a high number of primary and secondary schools with fewer teachers and that the university would help resolve the challenge.
The Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1), who said he was excited about the planned upgrade, told his colleagues that he is a product of ACCOED and that he taught for five years with the certificate he got from the institution.
“The creation of a new varsity is a good thing. This bill takes care of the welfare of both lecturers and students,” he added.
The lawmakers are optimistic that the proposed University of Education would produce good teachers if passed into law.
“Concerning the proposed University of Science and Technology, the lawmakers expressed optimism that it would help provide manpower for the development of the state and the country”, Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe 2 Constituency said.
It was however suggested that courses in the humanities and legal studies should not be included in the institution’s curriculum as a University of Science and Technology, stressing that science and technology play vital roles in development, as studies to be offered should take into cognisance the culture of the people.
Yusuff also advised that the university should be made to go into researches on agriculture to reduce the high cost of food in the state and the country.
