GOODNEWS….. Senate approves upgrade of Offa Fedpoly to varsity

Senate has approved the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, from a Diploma awarding institution to a full-fledged degree awarding Federal University of Technology.

This followed the passage of the Federal Universities of Technology Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

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Similarly, the upper legislative chamber passed a bill to establish the School of Mines and Geological Studies, Guyuk in Adamawa State.

The passage of both bills followed the consideration of two separate reports by the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita, in his presentation, said that establishing the school of mines and geological studies would provide for the training of middles and junior level manpower for the mineral and mining sector.

He added that it would also facilitate collaboration with other national and international institutions involved in general exploration and mining of precious stones and ore as well as encourage teacher training, research and general development of teacher education. READ ALSO: Fire outbreak kills minor in Kaduna

In a related development, the Senate on Tuesday passed the Civil Aviation Bill 2022, which seeks to repeal the Civil Aviation Act 2006 following the consideration of a report by its Committee on Aviation.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi, in his presentation, said the aim of the bill was to provide an effective legal and Institutional framework for the regulation of civil aviation in Nigeria to confirm with the standards and recommended practices set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO.

He added that the piece of legislation would, among others, establish rules of operation and divisions of responsibility within the Nigerian civil aviation system in order to promote aviation safety.

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According to him, it would “ensure that Nigerians obligations under International aviation agreements are implemented; and consolidate the laws relating to civil aviation in Nigeria.”

He added that, “the bill when passed will be applicable to all persons holding licenses that have been issued or validated by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.”