AKHA Passes Bill For Law To Establish University Of Education, Afaha Nsit

By Uduak Akai 
UYO 
A bill for a law to provide for the establishment of Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit, has been passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA).
The said bill is to also make provisions for its administration and for other purposes connected thereto.
This was sequel to the report presented to the Assembly by the House Committee on Education, chaired by the member representing Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency, Mrs. Kenim Onofiok, during Thursday’s plenary, which took place at the Assembly Complex, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
In her report presentation, Onofiok explained that the bill would provide high quality teacher education programmes as well as offer opportunities to Akwa Ibom children seeking admission into degree-awarding institutions, observing that students are no longer interested in registering for the three-year National Certificate in Education (NCE) programme, but prefer to study a four-year degree programme, hence the decline on admission into the NCE programmes of the College.
It would be recalled that in line with the responsibility of the legislature, the House Committee on Education on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, conducted a public hearing for stakeholders in the education sector, among others, to make input for the bill.
The House, which was dissolved into the Committee of the Whole,  considered 33 clauses and adopted the committee’s recommendations on the bill.
A motion for the bill to be read a third time and passed was moved by the member representing Onna State Constituency and leader of the House, Elder Sunday Johnny, seconded by the member representing Oruk Anam State Constituency and deputy chief whip, Mr. Sampson Idiong.
The bill was accordingly read for the third time and passed at plenary presided by the speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, with effect from Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Similarly, a Bill for a law to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Geographic Information System and for other matters connected thereto has scaled through first reading.
Sponsored by the member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, with 15 members as co-sponsors, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Business, Rules and Ethics for rescheduling.
Also at the plenary, the new Sergeant-at-arm, Mr. Mfon Akpan and his deputy, Mr. Ime Jimmy, were formally introduced to members of the House by the speaker, Elder Udeme Otong.