A bill establishing the Federal Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State in South-East Nigeria scaled second reading in the Senate on Wednesday.
Sponsor of the bill, Senator Theodore Orji representing Abia Central Senatorial district explained that the State Polytechnic would by the bill change to the Federal Polytechnic for better technological education.
According to him, the need for the upgrade of Abia State Polytechnic to the Federal Polytechnic was driven by the fact that, “no nation grows outside its technological advancement,” noting that the much-celebrated Asian tiger countries were driven by the advanced technologies they have.
The lawmaker urged the FG to borrow a leaf from China, saying that China does not parade professors, but technologists and technicians who were driving the growth of Chinese economy.
“The growth and emergence of Asia tigers were driven by how well they produced technologists from their schools.
“China does not have Professors as much as Nigeria, but they have technologists who are powering their economy.
The former Governor said that the Federal Government would inherit structures of the school, adding that it would also reduce unemployment and criminality in the zone.
In his contribution, Senator Rochas Okorocha advocated for the establishment of tertiary institutions that specifically address engineering.
He noted that graduates of Universities in Nigeria don’t have what it takes to address the 21st-century challenges, a situation he averred creates unemployment all over the places.
Senate President Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan after passing the bill for second reading referred it to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to turn in their report in two weeks.
