The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Health and Medical Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti, in Irepodun/Ifelodun local government of Ekiti State.
The passage followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) presented by the Chairman, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe during the plenary.
The bill was sponsored by Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (MOB), who hails from the town and is also the Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
Presenting the report on Wednesday, Oloriegbe who said that the bill was read for the second time on March 16, said it sought to advance learning and higher education in the field of medicine and environmental sciences.
He further said that the establishment of the university would provide basic scientific training as a foundation for the development of medicine and allied disciplines.
He said, “The bill is to provide a highly specialised institution that is not only productive but needed for medical advancement of the country.
“The University will be delivering education and training to current and future employees of the medical profession.
“The goal of the university is to inspire and motivate students and medical personnel about the value of becoming health professionals so as to lead the change for realising a more sustainable health sector that serves a more sustainable world.”
Meanwhile, the Senate also passed a bill for the establishment of the Federal University Lafia Teaching Hospital.
The bill was sponsored by Tanko Al-Makura, Senator who represents Nasarawa South.
In his presentation, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe (APC, Kwara Central), said the bill to establish the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital was “necessitated as a result of the precarious health conditions faced by the resident.”
However, the Senate on Wednesday passed a third bill to amend the University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Boards) Act.
The bill’s passage by the upper chamber followed consideration of a report by the Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary).
Oloriegbe, in his presentation, explained that the amendment bill seeks to amend the First Schedule to the Principal Act to include the University Teaching Hospital, Lafia and Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital.
In a related development, a bill seeking to establish the Federal College of Education, Kaiama, Kwara State, scaled second reading during plenary.
The bill was sponsored by Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, a lawmaker who represents Kwara North.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, after the bill was considered, referred it to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND.
The Committee which was chaired by Senator Ahmad Baba Kaita was given four weeks to report back to the upper chamber.