House Of Reps Education Committee Visits Uniport

As part of their oversight functions, members of the House of Representatives Committee on Education were in the University penultimate Thursday, to assess the level of projects and policy implementation in order to make constructive contributions that could assist Management continue with the impressive job it is doing.

Speaking during the visit, at the Governing Council Chambers, Chairman of the Committee, Hon Aminu Suleiman, said that they were not in the University to witch-hunt anybody or undermine authorities of the Institution, but to interact with relevant authorities to ascertain areas of challenges in order to assist them realize their fiscal objectives.

Hon Suleiman noted the 7th Assembly is constituted by distinguished Nigerians who desire the best for the country, adding that “the essence of our visit is to see what we can do, through legislation, to better the lives of Nigerians. We are making efforts to see that we are accountable and also ensure that those in positions of authority perform their duties to benefit the citizenry.”

Earlier in a power-point presentation, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ajienka, who commended the Committee over its activities, especially the hosting of the National Education Summit, said that the driving force of any society is the quality of education it provides, noting that over the years the University has made modest efforts at improving the quality of education.

Represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Ethelbert Nduka, Professor Ajienka gave a rundown of current position of the University, strategic academic plans, as well as challenges of the Institution. He stated that the University was a centre of excellence in Sports, Petroleum Geosciences, Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology and Bio-resources, Arts and Film Studies, Health Sciences, as well as Ethnic and Conflict Studies, pointing out that the observations by members of the Committee were noted and that the authorities would ensure that they are addressed.

The Committee later visited sites of on-going projects funded by both Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund) and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Projects visited included Faculty of Agriculture building; Central Office Complex, Lecture Halls, as well as the Emerald Energy Institute building.

Members of the Committee at the visit were: Hon Abubakar Momah, Hon Halilu Aliero, Hon Abdulmalik Usman, Hon Mustapha Dawaki, and Hon Eucharia Adodo. Others were: Hon Linus Okorie, Hon Salisu Dahiru, Hon Kehinde Odeeye and Hon Muazu Lawal.