Bill Seeking Upgrade Of Auchi Polytechnic To University Of Technology Gets Reps’ Nod

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the Conference Committee Report on a Bill seeking to upgrade the famous Auchi Polytechnic into a University of Technology.

The Bill which is titled “A Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of Federal University of Technology, Auchi, Edo State” was sponsored by Hon. Johnson Oghuma (APC, Edo).

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The lawmaker while briefing journalists after the plenary said the university if established will go along way in bridging the gaps of standard of education in Edo State and Nigeria as a whole.

The lawmaker who expressed delight in the success achieved with the proposed legislation so far told newsmen that his passion for education, especially for the downtrodden was borne out of his difficult journey through life as a child from a very humble background.

According to him, “I sponsored this Bill in the House of Representatives years ago. Many took up this Bill but could not come this far, some have died, but i am still alive today and i am so grateful to God”.

“I’m someone you could say came from something less than a humble background, and that made me to almost not acquire education as I almost became a farmer in the village. But with hard work and perseverance, I was able to acquire formal education and graduate.

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“So for me, if this is the only thing I will achieve for my people as their representative, to God be the glory, I’m a fulfilled man and legislator”, visibly elated Hon. Oghuma said.

He also submitted that when the bill finally gets assent from Mr President it will reduce the number of prospective undergraduates in the country

The lawmaker explained that the bill is expected to achieve global standards “where polytechnics were being converted to universities to bridge the gap and harmonize standards of tertiary education, with the plans of developed nations like America and United Kingdom.

“Most Polytechnics today have been converted to universities of technology and help to upgrade education generally,” he added.

He further disclosed that the initial plan was to achieve one of the set goals of government to upgrade education standards in science, engineering and technological training in the country.

Another aim, according to him, was to provide the much-needed space for post-graduate studies which no polytechnic provides.

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The lawmaker also expressed satisfaction that the current Auchi Polytechnic has all it takes in terms of manpower and facilities, to take off as a full-fledged university.

He assured that when assented to by the President, youths from catchment areas would now have a place to go and study to meet their various lifetime aspirations previously denied them due to quota and catchment policy in the country.