The establishment of federal University of Education (Technical) in Bichi, Kano state will tackle the menace of out of school children, Senator Jibrin Bara’u has said.

Similarly, the lawmaker, who represent Kano North at the Nigerian Senate said the establishment of Federal University of Agriculture, Danbatta will also solve the problem of shortage of teachers.

Barau, who is the Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriations made this known on Thursday at a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund on the Federal University of Agriculture, Danbatta, Kano state (Establishment bil), Federal University of Education (Technical), Bichi Kano state (Establishment bill) and Federal College of Agriculture, Ubiaja, Edo state (Establishment bill).

Senator Barau who sponsored the bills for establishment of the two universities in Kano state said Federal College of Education Technical Bichi, which is being upgraded to university “is very famous in chunning out teachers who are teaching in the secondary schools, but there is lack of teachers needed in our universities.

“We have many private universities being established every year. So, there is that need to have a university in our area. You know we are lagging behind in terms of education. We need a university that will train teachers that will teach in these universities. That is very important”.

He said Kano is not only the centre of commerce in northern part of Nigeria, but also centre of agriculture, saying they have the largest farm produce market in the whole of West Africa situated in Kano.

“Since we are known for agriculture, we need a university that will train farmers (agriculturists). We are not asking for too much because the establishment of these universities is for the benefit of the entire nation.

Commenting on funding, Senator Barau expressed optimism that their hard work has resulted in “non-oil revenues growing every year”.

“Now we are talking of an institution that will help develop agriculture, which is the main stay of our economy, which will increase our agricultural produce and translate into a better living standard.

“We are talking about training teachers. If you don’t have this kind of institution you won’t go anywhere . We are trying to fight this out of school children, which can be done by having the school and have the teachers. Teacher is the most important element to have children trained to be better citizens of the country”.

In a separate remarks Hon. Hamisu Ibrahim, Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, assured the gathering that the Kano State Government will provide all that is needed for the establishment of the two universities.

He applauded Senator Barau Jibrin who sponsored the two bills for the establishment of the Varsities.

The Speaker disclosed that primary and secondary schools have been made compulsory in Kano state through a law passed two years ago by the Kano State House of Assembly making it “compulsory and necessary for every child to be enrolled in school”.

Meanwhile, Prof. Mohammed Waidale, of Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Danbatta which is being upgraded to Federal University of Agriculture Danbatta and Dr. Andrew Ojienhekele of Ambrose Alli University, Edo state both supported the bills.

The Bill for the establishment of Federal University of Agriculture Ugbawka, in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has been passed by the House of Representatives.

The Bill which was being sponsored by Honourable Nnolim Nnaji, the member representing Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency of Enugu State was passed by the House on Thursday after clause by clause considerations at the plenary.

Honourable Nnaji had during the presentation of the Bill earlier stressed that his desire to sponsor the Bill was propelled by the need to promote agricultural trainings, development, production, innovation and researches from institutional perspective.

He equally noted that the establishment of the institution would further enhance capacity and address the agricultural challenges faced by the people of Nkanu East who according to him are predominantly agrarian.

Rep Nnaji also stated that the Bill was sequel to the present administration’s desire to diversify the nation’s economy through investments in agriculture and agro allied industry.

The House after first and second readings of the Bill referred it to the Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions which organised a public robust hearing on the Bill earlier this year.

The public hearing which attracted various interest groups from agro based gancies and institutions across the country produced far reaching conclusions that resulted in the production and adoption of clauses that were unanimously passed by the House Thursday.

The Bill will subsequently be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence consideration and passage.