By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to upgrade the Imo State College of Education, Umuobom, into a Federal College of Education in Ideato, Imo State. 
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North and Ideato South Federal Constituency, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Education, Umuobom, Imo State, and for Related Matters”, seeks to provide a legal framework for the institution’s conversion into a federal college.
Leading the debate on Thursday at plenary, Ugochinyere said the proposed upgrade will strengthen teacher education, widen access to quality tertiary education and improve the institution’s contribution to educational development.
Under the bill, the institution will become a corporate body with the power to acquire, hold and manage property. Its academic programmes and standards would be supervised by the Federal Ministry of Education through the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
The proposed legislation is expected to boost the training of qualified teachers to meet the growing demand for skilled educators in Imo State and other parts of the country.
It can also attract federal investment to Umuobom and neighbouring communities, create jobs, stimulate economic activities and provide more young people with access to tertiary education.
The bill was put to a voice vote, and lawmakers voted in favour of its second reading.
It was subsequently referred to the relevant committee for further legislative scrutiny.
The bill must pass through additional stages in the National Assembly before it can become law.
