The Federal Institute of Technology’s creation in Ikpoba–Okha, Edo State, has received the resolute backing of stakeholders in the country’s information technology sector.
The House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology held a one-day public hearing yesterday in Abuja, where they spoke in a variety of ways and emphasized that the moment was right for the institute to start operations in the nation. Support was expressed by representatives from the Industrial Training Fund, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), National Board for Technological Incubation (NOTAB), and Ministry of Science and Technology.
Speaking at the event, committee chairman Hon. Zakariya Tijanni clarified that the purpose of the public hearing was to get feedback from interested parties in order to increase support for the proposed institution.
He said the bill would foster knowledge, research, and innovation in information technology, ultimately benefiting youth through wealth creation and skill development.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Hon. Prof. Paul Nnamchi, affirmed the bill’s importance in today’s society.
In addition to improving the development of information technology and youth manpower, he pointed out that stakeholder participation would support economic growth, competitiveness, and employment possibilities.
According to the bill’s sponsor, Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi of the Labour Party, who represents Edo State’s Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency, the institute would tackle the technology issues of the twenty-first century. He emphasized the possibilities for innovative research, easier access to postsecondary education, and the creation of jobs in contemporary science and technology.
Omoruyi went on to say that the school would provide a variety of programs ranging from diplomas to postgraduate degrees, encouraging wealth creation and productivity while boosting local output and international competitiveness for Edo State’s investors and markets as well as for Nigeria overall.
After a thorough debate on the merits of the bill by cross section of the stakeholders and developmental partners, the committee chairman resolved to gather their contributions back to the plenary for further deliberations, where it would receive accelerated hearing and further referred it to Mr. President for his assent.
