The National Assembly has approved in principle the proposal by the National Open University of Nigeria to establish a Study Centre within the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja.
Ekweremadu lauded the NOUN for accepting to open a Study Centre in Awgu Local Government Area in his senatorial district in Enugu State.
The Deputy Senate President stated this while playing host to a delegation of the NOUN, which paid him a courtesy call to his Office in Abuja.
He lauded the NOUN for the opportunity being given to Nigerians to access tertiary education across the country.
According to him: “An educated populace is very critical to the development of our nation.”
Ekweremadu the expressed hope that the Study Centre in Awgu would bring tertiary education closer to his constituents and the surrounding rural communities.
He said: “I am happy that you have approved a Study Centre to be set up at Awgu in Enugu West Senatorial District.
“Enugu State is made up of three Senatorial Districts like every other state, but Enugu West is the only Senatorial District in that state without any higher institution of learning.
“It has been my earnest desire to have a tertiary institution in the District.
“So, this is meant to fill this gap.
“With your help now, our people’s yearning for higher education is now within reach.”
Ekweremadu, who is also the Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Institute for Legislative Studies, Abuja, expressed satisfaction at the ongoing collaboration between the NILS and the NOUN towards establishing a NOUN Study Centre within the National Assembly complex, Abuja.
He said: “A short while ago, we matriculated NILS’ students for postgraduate courses in Legislative Studies as well as Legislative Drafting.
“These are two-year postgraduate programmes leading up to the award of Master’s Degrees.
“I also believe that our parliamentarians and staff who were unable to obtain a Bachelor’s degree before now can take advantage of this facility to advance their education, not only in legislative studies, but also in other well-known disciplines.
“Take it that on behalf of the National Assembly, we have given our consent so that as soon as possible we need to have this study centre up and running.
“I want to assure you that we will provide the necessary space, infrastructure and the cooperation that will enable your study centre in the National Assembly complex to be one of the best in the country.”
Ekweremadu stressed the need to safeguard quality in all areas covered by the NOUN. “We must also warn that you should not ever compromise quality as quality is very, very important,” emphasised.
While speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Vincent Tenebe, promised that the NILS and NOUN collaboration would achieve the set goal of bringing education to the doorstep of staff and members of the National Assembly and the parliament’s immediate community.
Tenebe added: “Number two, we are here to inform you that the application from your good self in your normal way of serving your people, to ensure that the NOUN establishes a Study Centre in your constituency, especially at Awgu of Enugu State, has been approved.”