Politics
Akpabio seeks increased investment in human capital development
By George Mgbeleke
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has emphasised the need for greater investment in human capital development.
Akpabio made the call on Monday in Abuja during a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, chaired by Sen. Muntari Dandutse.
Recall that the hearing was on six bills namely; Federal University of Education (Special), Oyo (Establishment) Bill, 2024;
Federal University of Health Sciences, Funtua, Katsina State (Establishment) Bill, 2024.
“Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Federal University of Geomatics, Oyo, Oyo State (Establishment) Bill, 2025.
“Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 and
Federal University of Technology, Omoku, Rivers State (Amendment) Bill, 2025”.
Akpabio who was represented by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau said Nigeria was at a pivotal point in its development journey and such more investments were needed in the sector.
“Our population continues to grow, and so must our investments in human capital,” he said.
He said that the universities of technology, health sciences, education, and vocational studies were instrumental in preparing a workforce that was capable of driving innovation and delivering essential services.
“And transforming the nation’s economic fortunes.
“The inclusion of specialised institutions like the proposed University of Education (Special), Oyo and the University of Geomatics highlights our intention to cater to specific educational and developmental needs”.
Akpabio added that the task before the Senate was to ensure that these institutions, once established, are not only sustainable but also adequately funded.
“And also effectively governed, and tailored to meet the dynamic needs of the 21st-century learner”.
Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Muntari Dandutse (APC-Katsina), sponsored the Federal University of Health Sciences, Funtua, Katsina State (Establishment) Bill, 2024.
Dandutse said that it was instructive to note that the conventional or mainstream medical practice was gradually being passed out with the advancement in science and technology.
“And also, the advent of Artificial Intelligence and the use of robotics are predominantly being deployed to handle sophisticated medical practices and procedures limiting the chances of medical practitioners.
“This is no doubt will invariably give rise to job losses in the near future”.
He said that it was imperative that urgent and necessary steps were taken for Nigeria to align with this current global phenomena”.
Sen. Yunus Akintunde (APC-Oyo) sponsored the Federal University of Education (Special), Oyo Establishment Bill 2024 and Federal University of Geomatics, Oyo Establishment Bill 2024.
He said that the proposed establishment of the two universities constituted upgrades rather than establishments from the scratch.
Akintunde said that the Federal University of Education (Special), Oyo aims to provide a just, sound and robust educational system for all Nigerians, including those with disabilities.
“It is predicated on the availability of qualified and well-trained teachers to impart the required knowledge on the students.
“Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo is the only one of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Thus, the need to have a university in our educational sector that can cater for people with disabilities and continuously produce well-qualified and trained teachers as it is obtainable in other developed countries cannot be over emphasised”.
He added that there was an unbridled quest for special need education in Nigeria.
“The current administration in Nigeria has shown sufficient determination to submit adequate funds to critical sectors in nation building including education.
“The enactment of this bill will help not only to provide education access, but also reduce difficulties faced by people with disabilities in seeking university education in non-conducive conventional institutions”.
By David Owei, Bayelsa
Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.
Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.
The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.
“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.
“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.
“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.
The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.
The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.
Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.
He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.
He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.
“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”
“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”
Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”
He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.
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