Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong.
By Kelvin Obambon
50 years after, a second federal university is coming to Cross River State as the Nigerian Senate has passed the Federal University of Technology, Odukpani Bill at its plenary session on Thursday, July 10.
The bill, sponsored by the Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, has now cleared its third and final reading and is set to be forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
University is the first federal university for the state.
Senator Ekpenyong expressed profound gratitude to his colleagues and the Senate leadership, led by President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio for the passage of the bill.
He highlighted the historical significance of the bill, noting that “by the Grace of God, once signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this landmark bill will bridge a gap of over 50 years in the establishment of another Federal University in Cross River State. I sincerely thank my distinguished colleagues for the support given to this Bil”..
Senator Ekpenyong emphasized that the new university would serve as a powerful complement to the ongoing efforts of the Cross River State Government to expand access to quality education.
“This milestone lays a transformative foundation to meet the surging demand for education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and positions our state as a future hub of innovation and excellence,” he said.