President Bola Tinubu has signed three bills establishing federal tertiary institutions in the south-east.
The institutions are the Federal College of Education, Bende, Abia state; the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Item Bende, Abia state; and the Federal University, Okigwe, Imo state.
The development was revealed by Yemi Adaramodu, senate spokesperson, while briefing senate correspondents on Tuesday, in Abuja on the red chamber’s mid-term assessment.
Reacting to the development, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Tinubu for the gesture, describing it as a demonstration of inclusive leadership and a step towards national healing.
Akpabio who lauded Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives, for sponsoring two of the bills also hailed three south-east senators, Patrick Ndubueze, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi and Osita Ngwu for their roles in pushing the legislation through.
In a statement issued by Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio’s media adviser, the senate president said the institutions would provide quality education and improve healthcare outcomes in the region.
“I applaud President Tinubu for his inclusive leadership and demonstrated commitment to the development of the south-east region and efforts to heal the deep-seated wounds of the past,” Akpabio said.
“The establishment of these institutions will go a long way to remove the nagging feelings of distrust and socio-economic marginalisation among the people of the south-east.
“I commend the president for his open-heartedness and unrestrained affection for the region.”
He urged the people of the south-east to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration to foster a progressive partnership.
