The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district Sen. Smart Adeyemi called for support for the establishment of Nigeria steel University in Kogi State during the Senate plenary of 3rd December, 2020 .
In recognition of Nigeria steel industry as a sector that requires broad spectrum of knowledge and valuable skills to function optimally, the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Smart Adeyemi has yesterday supported a bill for the establishment of Nigeria Steel University, Ajaokuta.
In his words, he said Iron and Steel Company is very Crucial and important towards Infrastructural and Social Economic Development of our Nation
He further said the proposed University is seeking for an upgrade of an institution that is already established on a solid foundation towards been able to award a degree and implement other research works in iron and Steel.
In his Statement, “one of the achievements of this government is it’s determination and contributions geared towards the resuscitation of the Iron and Steel Complex in Ajaokuta”.
Senator Smart Adeyemi added that he is very optimistic that some of his colleagues has visited the complex and can attest to the fact that the Iron and Steel Complex is big enough to sustain our economy.
He emphasized that having the University will complement research works that are done halfway and abandoned, that production is not limited to only iron and Steel but is also capable of producing cement and other materials that form the components of Construction across the world.
The Senator said most importantly they should capitalize on the University as this will further add value to the billion of dollars investment that was made in the early 70’s in establishing the Iron and Steel Complex.
Senator Smart Adeyemi (CON) argued that all over the world today, Education and indeed higher institutions is no longer under one roof, in essence across the globe, nations of the world, most especially advance nations now look at the specialised universities, it is not until we have universities with 50 faculties that matters but rather the product of the faculties in the universities.
The Senator noted the comparative advantages the proposed university of Iron and Steel will have among which are provision of job opportunities for the millions of teeming population and it will increase the revenue base of the country.
He equally said in Africa, Nigeria is the only country with iron strong base, also that the equipments in Ajaokuta is the same been used in India in the last 90 years and yet it’s still producing and ours in Nigeria only produced in less than 10 years and it folded up due to mismanagement and it was unbundled and sold out to some people and they probably did not even pay for it.
Hereiterated the Commitment of the government in reviving the Iron and Steel Complex in Ajaokuta, as having the University will compliment the efforts of the federal government.
Finally, the Senator thanked the government of President Muhammadu Buhari for the efforts put in place in rehabilitating the Iron and Steel Complex, he obliged that having the University will further strengthen the sector most especially this time that the country is faced with economic challenges, although it is global problem, putting the University in place will provide manpower and encourage the younger generation into the industry.
Adeleye Oluwafemi Godwin,
SA Media to Distinguished Senator Smart Adeyemi (CON) NASS- ABUJA
