The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed a bill to establish the Akwa Ibom State University of Education in Afaha Nsit, as well as provide for its administration and other related matters.
This decision followed a report presented to the House by the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Kenim Onofiok, during Thursday’s plenary session.
Onofiok explained that once the bill becomes law, the institution to be set up will offer high-quality teacher education programmes and provide opportunities for Akwa Ibom children who want to attend degree-awarding institutions.
She added that many students are no longer interested in the three-year National Certificate in Education (NCE) programme, preferring instead to pursue a four-year degree programme, which has led to a decline in NCE admissions.
On 26th February, the House Committee on Education held a public hearing to gather input from stakeholders on the bill.
The House later moved into a committee of the whole to discuss the bill.
During the committee session, 33 clauses of the bill were reviewed, and the committee’s recommendations were adopted.
The Leader of the House, Sunday Johnny, moved a motion for the bill to be read for the third time and passed, which was seconded by the Deputy Chief Whip, Sampson Idiong.
The bill was then read for the third time and passed during plenary, which was presided over by Speaker Udeme Otong. The bill will take effect on Thursday, 13 March 2025.
In a related development, a bill to establish the Akwa Ibom State Geographic Information System (GIS) was also introduced during Thursday’s plenary. The bill was sponsored by Prince Ukpong Akpabio, the member for Essien Udim State Constituency, with 15 other members as co-sponsors. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Business, Rules, and Ethics for further scheduling.
Additionally, the new Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr. Mfon Akpan, and his Deputy, Mr. Ime Jimmy, were formally introduced to the Assembly members during Thursday’s plenary by Speaker Udeme Otong.
The House then adjourned its plenary session until Tuesday.
