Federal Varsities In Bichi, Danbatta Will Reduce Out Of School Children - Senator Barau

https://youtu.be/kY3KKSXqI9s

In the same vein, the lawmaker, who represents Kano North at the Nigerian Senate said that the establishment of Federal University of Agriculture, Danbatta will also solve the problem of shortage of teachers.

He made this known on Thursday at a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal University of Agriculture, Danbatta, Kano state (Establishment bil), Federal University of Education (Technical), Bichi Kano state (Establishment bill) and Federal College of Agriculture, Ubiaja, Edo state (Establishment bill).

Senator Barau who sponsored the bills for establishment of the two universities in Kano state said that Federal College of Education Technical Bichi, which is being upgraded to university "is very famous in churning out teachers who are teaching in the secondary schools, but there is lack of teachers needed in our universities.

"We have many private universities being established every year. So, there is that need to have a university in our area. You know we are lagging behind in terms of education. We need a university that will train teachers that will teach in these universities. That is very importantÔÇØ.

He said that Kano is not only the centre of commerce in northern part of Nigeria, but also centre of agriculture, saying they have the largest farm produce market in the whole of West Africa situated in Kano.

"Since we are known for agriculture, we need a university that will train farmers (agriculturists). We are not asking for too much because the establishment of these universities is for the benefit of the entire nation.

Sharing his views on funding, Senator Barau expressed optimism that their hard work has resulted in "non-oil revenues growing every yearÔÇØ.

"Now we are talking of an institution that will help develop agriculture, which is the main stay of our economy, which will increase our agricultural produce and translate into a better living standard.

"We are talking about training teachers. If you don't have this kind of institution you won't go anywhere . We are trying to fight this out of school children, which can be done by having the school and have the teachers. Teacher is the most important element to have children trained to be better citizens of the countryÔÇØ.

In his submission Hon. Hamisu Ibrahim, Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, assured the gathering that the Kano State Government will provide all that is needed for the establishment of the two universities.

He applauded Senator Barau Jibrin who sponsored the two bills for the establishment of the universities.

The Speaker disclosed that primary and secondary schools have been made compulsory in Kano state through a law passed two years ago by the Kano State House of Assembly making it "compulsory and necessary for every child to be enrolled in schoolÔÇØ.

Prof. Mohammed Waidale, of Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Danbatta which is being upgraded to Federal University of Agriculture, Danbatta and Dr. Andrew Ojienhekele of Ambrose Alli University, Edo state both supported the bills.