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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading two health-related bills sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, seeking to establish a Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery in Nkpa and a Federal Medical Centre in Bende, both in Abia State.

The proposed legislation, which scaled second reading during Wednesday’s plenary, is aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare, strengthening medical education and addressing Nigeria’s growing shortage of health professionals.

The first bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Nkpa, Bende, Abia State to Provide Training and Research in General Nursing, Midwifery and Other Specialties of Nursing, and for Related Matters,” seeks to create a specialised institution for the training of nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals.

The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Abussamad Dasuki, Rep. Kelechi Nwogu, Rep. Akiolu Moshood Kayode and Rep. Chris Nkwonta.

The second bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centres Act; to Establish Federal Medical Center, Bende, Abia State; and for Other Related Matters,” seeks to amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Bende.

It is co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Nkwonta, Rep. Nasiru Shehu, Rep. Joshua Gana and Rep. Tolani Shagaya.

Leading the debate on the nursing college bill, Kalu said Nigeria urgently needs to expand the training of healthcare professionals to meet rising local and international demand, particularly as the country continues to lose skilled personnel through migration.

He said: “Government cannot completely halt the emigration of trained medical and health personnel. It would be more appropriate to tap into the huge export market of trained medical and health personnel, by investing more into the education and training of medical personnel in large numbers to meet both domestic and international demands.”

The Deputy Speaker noted that education remains the foundation for national development and individual prosperity, stressing that investment in specialised medical institutions is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

According to him, education is vital: “for a happy and stable life, for better income and livelihood and for social equality.”

Kalu argued that dedicated institutions for nursing and other health sciences would help produce the skilled workforce required to improve healthcare delivery across the country.

He warned that Nigeria’s health indicators could continue to deteriorate if urgent steps are not taken to address the growing shortage of medical personnel caused by the migration of professionals abroad.

Speaking on the proposed Federal Medical Centre, the Deputy Speaker said the facility will improve access to specialised healthcare services for residents of Abia State and neighbouring communities.

“Access to quality healthcare services is crucial for the well-being of our citizens. By establishing additional Federal Medical Centers, we can decentralize access to quality healthcare services obtainable at the Federal Medical Centres”, he said.

Kalu added that establishing the hospital will reduce the burden on existing federal health facilities, cut travel time and costs for patients seeking specialist treatment, and improve healthcare outcomes.

The bills have now been referred to the relevant House Committees for further legislative scrutiny.

The proposed legislations form part of ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector through expanded medical education and improved access to federal healthcare infrastructure. If eventually passed and signed into law, the two institutions are expected to enhance healthcare delivery, create employment opportunities and boost the training of healthcare professionals in Abia State and the South-East region.

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has passed a bill seeking to establish the Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering in Ngo, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, in a move aimed at strengthening technical education and supporting the growth of Nigeria’s blue economy.

The bill was passed on Thursday after the House considered and adopted the report of the House Committee on Ocean and Fisheries, presented by its Chairman, Rep. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi, during plenary.

The report stated: “That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Ocean and Fisheries on a Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Establish Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering, NGO, Rivers State and for Related Matters (HB. 2189) and approve recommendations therein” (Laid:13/11/2025).

Presenting the report, Rep. Amadi recalled that the House concluded debate on the general principles of the bill on 7 May 2025 before referring it to the committee for further legislative work.

He explained that the committee subsequently organised a public hearing on 14 July 2025, bringing together stakeholders from the maritime, education and fisheries sectors to examine the proposal.

According to him, the bill received overwhelming support during the hearing.

“The proposed legislation seeks to establish the Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering in NGO, within the Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The primary objective of the bill is to provide a statutory framework for the creation of a specialized tertiary institution focused on bolstering Nigeria’s blue economy. By embedding technical training in fisheries management, aquaculture, and marine engineering within a coastal riverine community, the bill aims to address local manpower deficits in the maritime sector, expand access to technical vocational education, and stimulate economic development across the Niger Delta region”, he stated.

The committee chairman further outlined the legal framework of the proposed legislation, noting that it contains three key clauses designed to amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act.

He said: “Legislative Structure (Clauses 1 & 2): Clauses 1 and 2 establish the statutory foundation for amending the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (the Principal Act).

“Institutional Capacity & Operational Mandate (Clause 3): Clause 3 serves as the primary operative provision of the bill. It embeds the new college directly into the Third Schedule of the Principal Act, listing it alongside established federal institutions. By virtue of Clause 3, inserting the institution into the Third Schedule provides the vital legal backing and statutory recognition needed for the college to become fully operational. This legal effect formally empowers the institution to access federal funding streams and execute its specialized mandate in fisheries technology and marine engineering.”

Lawmakers unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations before passing the bill.

The proposed institution is expected to train skilled professionals in fisheries technology, aquaculture and marine engineering while supporting research, innovation and workforce development in Nigeria’s maritime sector. It is also expected to create employment opportunities and contribute to sustainable economic growth in the Niger Delta and other coastal communities.

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

University of Abuja law student, Amra Onize Salihu, has emerged champion at the 9th Inter-Universities Speech Contest organised by the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), held on Wednesday, 22 July 2026 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Amra, a 500-level student in the Faculty of Law, represented Nigeria after winning the national selection conducted by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

She defeated contestants from The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Ghana to claim the regional title, receiving the Winner’s Plaque, a Certificate of Honour, and a cash prize of US$1,000.

Fellow 500-level law student Abah Goodness Ojonoma attended as an observer.

The Director of the Law Clinic, Dr Nasiru Mukhtar coached the team, along with Mr J R Gogol of the NFIU, who provided
technical coaching.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, said he was proud of the students performance.

“Our students from the Faculty of Law have once again made the University proud. I congratulate them on this great achievement. I also commend the Faculty of Law and the Law Clinic for their efforts in the training and mentorship of the students. We will continue to work even harder to enhance the University’s global visibility through academic excellence and outstanding achievements such as this.”