Hon. Ugbor Calls For Establishment of Federal Polytechnic In Adikpo
By Armstrong Tseaa, Makurdi
The Member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives , Hon. Terseer Ugbor, has made a compelling argument in favour of a bill for the establishment of a federal polytechnic in Adikpo.
Hon. Ugbor who speaking during a Public hearing noted that in the interests of fairness and equity, Adikpo deserves a federal Institution.
The public hearing was convened by the Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education of the House of Representatives and was graced by notable figures, including the former Member of the House of Representatives for Kwande/Ushongo, Hon. Bob Tyough, along with remarkable academicians from the constituency.
Lamenting the insufficiency of federal institutions in Benue North-East, Hon. Ugbor saidd, “Chairman, Honourable members, I would like to bring to your attention a glaring disparity in the educational landscape within our state, Benue State, despite our local government producing five vice chancellors who have served in the state and at national levels.
“The Benue North-East Senatorial District, that is Zone A, where this proposed polytechnic will be located, has seven local governments with a population of over 1 million people, without a single federal Institution of higher learning, neither a polytechnic, university or an Institution of learning of any kind.”
A statement issued by the Honourable Ugbor’s Special Assistant (S.A) on Media and Publicity, Dagu Fred, quoted him as saying, “Chairman, the zone B, which is the Benue North-West, boasts of five higher institutions, including the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, formerly the University of Agriculture, Federal Polytechnic Wannune, Benue State University Makurdi, Akperan Orshi Polytechnic Yandev and Akawe Torkula Polytechnic in Makurdi.”
“Zone C, which is the Benue-South, has four institutions, including the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Federal College of Education Odugbo, College of Education Oju, and Benue Polytechnic Ugbokolo.
“The Benue North-East, Zone A, can only boast of a state college of education in Katsina-Ala which is not sufficient to cover the educational needs of this entire zone.”
The Deputy Chairman, Committee on Environment continued, “This disparity is not only unjust but also disadvantageous to the educational and economic development of our youths. It’s pertinent to state here that Kwande Local Government Area, where Adikpo is located, boasts of one among the highest numbers of secondary schools in Benue State.”
The Honourable Member expressed the hope that the bill when passed and subsequently assented to by the President so that the extensive land generously donated for this purpose no no longer lie fallow but utilised judiciously for the purpose of its allotment.
