The Bill for the establishment of the Federal College of Education, Bende, Abia State which was sponsored by the member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has been passed by the House in a plenary session held on the 17th of November, 2021.
Recall that the Bill which seeks for the establishment of a Federal College of Education in Bende, Abia State was read the first time in the green chamber on Wednesday, 10th June, 2020. The bill further passed its second reading on the 24th March, 2021.
Rep. Kalu while expressing his delight on the success of this Bill stated that;
‘the importance of education in the society cannot be over-emphasized. It is important for a happy and stable life, for better income and livelihood and for social equality. Education makes a person self-dependent, turns dreams into reality and makes the world a better and safer place. There is no amount spent on education that is a waste.’
Adding that Bende considering its size as the largest Local Government Area in the South-East geo-political zone deserves to have the presence of a tertiary institution to serve the education need of the teeming youthful population, especially now that the need for well-trained educationists has risen accompanied with the need to fill the gaps created by both the consequences of brain drain and the lack of qualified educationists to provide quality training at all levels of education.
The Bill when passed would establish the Federal College of Education, Bende, Abia State, charged with the responsibility to, among other things, to offer full-time courses leading to the award of National Certificate of Education, etc., comprises of twenty-three (23) sections and a schedule.
This institution which will be sited in the heart of Bende where a sizable land has been donated to accommodate it, would also increase the economic activities in Bende Federal Constituency and Abia State at large in addition to the job opportunities to be created.
He urged stakeholders, traditional leaders, the academia including youths and women who travel a long way to acquire educational qualifications to be a patient as this will come to fruition in no time.
The lawmaker also acknowledged the Senator representing Abia North, Distinguished Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu for his support to this development of Bende Federal Constituency.