As controversy rages over the siting of the newly approved Federal College of Education in Ekiti state, a former Aide to Governor Lalong of Plateau State, and an indigene of Ekiti has clarified that the location of the institution was clearly spelt out in the bill establishing it.
Dr Adegboyega Bamisile, a stalwart of All Progressives Congress, (APC) said the Ilawe community that is laying claim to it is taking advantage of the exit of Senator Biodun Olujinmi from the red chamber.
According to him, in May 2021, a bill seeking the establishment of two Federal Colleges of Education in Ekiti and Borno States respectively underwent a public hearing at the Senate.
“The bills are the “Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of the Federal College of Education Gwoza, Borno State and for other Matters Connected Therewith (Establishment, Etc, Bill, 2021) [SB: 350],” sponsored by Distinguished Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), and the “Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal College of Education Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State and for other Matters Connected Therewith (Establishment, Etc, Bill, 2021),” sponsored by Distinguished Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South).
“Upon approval, the proposed Federal Colleges of Education will be located in Gworza, Borno South Senatorial district in Borno State, and Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti South Senatorial district in Ekiti State.
“Specifically, the Bill for the establishment of the Federal College of Education Omuo Ekiti was sponsored by the Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, now former Senator Biodun Olujimi, and passed by both chambers of the 9th National Assembly.
“The public hearing was conducted by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, chaired by Senator Babba Kaita.”
Dr. Adegboyega highlighted that Omuo kingdom, comprising over 12 communities in Ekiti East with no Federal or State presence, deserves the College.
He mentioned that a bill establishing the College of Education had been passed, awaiting the President’s assent, before the alleged alteration and relocation of the school were brought to light.
Furthermore, he stressed that the passage of the (Establishment, Etc, Bill, 2021), sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South), resulted from a painstaking legislative process with the support of traditional rulers, dignitaries, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ekiti South.
Therefore, any attempts to relocate the College should be vehemently opposed.
Dr. Adegboyega expressed his bewilderment that someone or a group of people who did not initiate the request would seek to take advantage of the absence of the bill’s sponsor in the upcoming 10th assembly to alter what was clearly not theirs.
He called on President Ahmed Tinubu to rectify this alleged injustice and, if the insinuation about the relocation is found to be true, return the institution to Omuo Ekiti for the sake of fairness and justice.
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