- ……..As Bill goes to public hearing
By Christiana Ekpa
A Bill to establish Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Ayedun in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara has passed for public hearing in the House of Representatives.
Rep Tunji Olawuyi (APC-Kwara) the sponsored of the bill while debating at the plenary on Wednesday in Abuja harp on the need to strengthen primary healthcare system in the country.
he added that the only solution to achieve such is by reinforcing investment in the health sector.
He added that this required manpower especially Nursing and Midwifery, stating that there was need to ensure the passage of the bill to help the country health system.
Olawuyi said the bill was imperative as it would herald the first major federal presence in Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara State and its educational development.
He said that the traditional rulers and elders of the constituency had unanimously resolved to donate at least 100 hectares of land for the establishment of the Institution.
This according to him will provide enabling environment for the teeming youths across the country to be trained in Nursing and Midwifery.
He said that this had become necessary especially at a time when the country is suffering from dearth of health and medical manpower.
The lawmaker said the passage of the bill would go a long way not only to stop the brain drain, exodus of medical and health personnel to foreign countries.
He added that the bill would help by increasing the country’s life expectancy rate.
“It is also worthy to note that the proposed institution when established will also pave way for several aspiring undergraduates to gain admission, since most of the existing tertiary institutions are saturated.
He added that most Nigerian youths had been deprived from gaining admission into various institutions of their choice especially in nursing and midwifery for lack of sufficient health institutions.
It would be recalled that the bill first passed through the first reading on Oct 7, 2021 in the House of Reps.
