Bill to Establish Federal CoE in Elebele-Ogbia Bayelsa State sponsored by Rep. Azibapu Fred Obua passes Second reading at House of Representatives

Bill for an Act to establish Federal College of Education, Elebele-Ogbia in Bayelsa State has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Rep. Azibapu Fred Obua, Member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Deputy Chairman House Committee on information and National Orientation, the bill seeks to provide full-time courses, training in Education, technology, applied sciences, commerce, Management, social sciences, arts and humanities as well as provide for the appointment of Provost, discipline of Students and related matters.

Recall that the bill was read the first time in the hallowed green chamber on Thursday, July 8, 2021

Leading the debate on the bill during plenary session on Tuesday, 16th November, 2021, Azibapu Fred Obua said that the importance of education in the society cannot be overemphasized, adding that education is important for a happy and stable life, for better income and livelihood and for social equality.

According to him, education makes a person self- dependent, turns dreams into reality and makes the world a better and safer place.
And that the Establishment of the Federal College of Education Elebele-Ogbia will frontally tackle educational Challenges being faced by the People of the Area, State and Country.

On the location, Azibapu Fred Obua said Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State is the Local Government Area where Oil was first discovered in commercial quantity and quality in Nigeria and has remained peaceful.
Elebele is an Oil producing Community, gateway to the Bayelsa East and shares border with the Capital city of Yenagoa.

The proposed location has a growing population and land mass, and there is no College of Education in the Federal Constituency operated either by Federal or State Government.

The Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors who recently bagged the League of Character Clubs Nigeria award on good Leadership urged the House to expeditiously consider and pass the bill for possible timely presidential assent and consequent actual establishment .

Hon Boniface Emeregwa from Rivers State rose to second the reading of the bill for the second time.

The Lawmakers unanimously voted in support of the bill when it was put to a voice vote by Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House.

Consequently, the long title of the Bill for an Act for the establishment of the Federal College of Education, Elebele-Ogbia, Bayelsa State was read on the Floor of the House for the second time

The Bill has been committed to the House Committee on Tertiary Education and Services for further legislative action.