By Gloria Ikibah
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has applauded Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, for facilitating the establishment of four tertiary institutions in Zaria worth N80 billion.
Governor Sani, speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday, highlighted the significance of the projects, which include a campus for the National Open University, the Federal College of Education, the Federal College of Nursing, and the College of Legal Studies. He described Speaker Abbas as a visionary leader committed to the development of Kaduna State and Nigeria.
Sani said: “Only the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, can facilitate projects worth N80 billion to Zaria.”
“These interventions are unprecedented and will complement the efforts of the Kaduna State Government in providing opportunities for our citizens.”
In his address, Speaker Abbas emphasized that the project, dubbed the “Zaria Education City,” aligns with Zaria’s historic reputation as a center of learning.
“This is the first time four tertiary institutions will commence simultaneously in one city,” Abbas stated. “Zaria has always been known for education, not commerce or industry, and this initiative will further strengthen its legacy.”
Abbas explained that the institutions were carefully chosen based on a needs assessment in Kaduna State, focusing on critical sectors such as health, education, and law:
- Federal College of Nursing: To address shortages of qualified nurses and midwives in Kaduna State.
- Federal College of Education: To ensure the training of teachers for primary and junior secondary schools.
- National Open University Campus: To provide flexible learning opportunities for working professionals and elders.
- College of Legal Studies: To tackle the shortage of legal professionals, including lawyers, Kadis, and magistrates.
Speaker Abbas further assured of the timely completion of the projects, setting a target of 18 months, even as he estimated that the institutions would collectively cost over N80 billion and pledged to source the necessary funding.
Abbas commended Governor Sani for his swift allocation of land for the projects.
“This land was approved by His Excellency within 48 hours of our request. His commitment to these initiatives reflects his dedication to the development of Kaduna State.”
The Speaker concluded by expressing optimism about the transformative impact of these institutions on Zaria and the entire state.