Anthony Iwuoma
The senator, representing Imo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sir Frank Ibezim, has urged the Senate to pass a bill for the establishment of an Information and Communications Technology Institute in the South-east.
The Senator also requested the Senate to approve the siting of a federal orthopedic hospital in the state.
Leading the debate on the bill on the floor of the Red Chamber for the establishment of the institute in Nsu, Ehime Mbano local council area of Imo State, the lawmaker recalled that the bill was read for the first time in the hallowed chamber on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
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“The institute, when established, will carry out scientific and applied research in modern information technology applications to optimise learning processes and some support systems. It will also provide dynamic learning infrastructure with quality education through rigorous teaching and research methodologies in information and communication technology, ICT, to provide academic programmes for professionals and experts in the field of ICT, electronics, software engineering, and telemedicine,” Ibezim posited.
He noted that today’s businesses rely on technology, which is extremely important in the workplace as a means of communication, adding that the proposed institute would foster core values among its academia, undergraduates, and graduate scholars as well as ensure a place of pride for the teeming youths in the world of learning.
According to him: “Technology allows many businesses to expand more quickly by having the proper means to promote and it is trending now that all businesses have social media networks that enable service delivery and giving updates to their customers.”
Speaking further on the relevance of the bill, he stated: “The objective of this bill is to among other things provide full-time and part-time courses in information and communication technology, engineering technology, applied sciences, management sciences, and other fields of study, leading to the award of Ordinary National Diploma, OND; Higher National Diploma, HND, and certificates in specialised programmes; to provide facilities and encourage research in all its areas of focus, to aid the development of Nigeria in the areas of industry, commerce, technology, engineering, etc.; to perform such other functions, which in the opinion of the institute may serve to promote its objectives.”
The distinguished lawmaker noted that the institute would provide well-developed and articulated education through consistent research, development, and constant contact with renowned institutions and appropriate industries; to provide appropriate vocational training for self-reliant and focused Nigerian students.
He noted that the ICT institute would empower those who want to be employees of labour or gainfully employed with requisite industrial skills and also perform any other functions, which in the opinion of the council would serve to promote the objectives of the institute and to carry out other activities that are necessary and expedient for the full discharge of any of the functions.
Ibezim reiterated that ICT is a trending expertise throughout the world and that the institute, which he is proposing in line with order 76, sub 3 of the senate standing order 2023 as amended, was specially designated for this purpose.
Also, the lawmaker moved a bill for the establishment of a federal orthopedic hospital in Ihitte Uboma LGA of Imo State.
Ibezim, whose unprecedented representation of the zone has been trailed by sterling performance, had while leading the debate on the bill, posited that the hospital when established would offer a comprehensive care for joint-relstef ailments and contribute to the health and general wellbeing of the people.