At a time that some political leaders in Cross River State have been pointing accusing fingers at the federal government for allegedly marginalising the state especially in the area of appointment into its boards and agencies, the accent of the president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is now being awaited, for the first federal university of technology to take off in the state.
On Thursday, the senate passed the bill sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, for the establishment of the university, after it went through parliamentary stages. The university is to be located at Odukpani, where the senator and the governor comes from.
In passing the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said the development marked a significant milestone for the long-anticipated federal institution.
An excited Ekpenyong expressed deep appreciation to his colleagues for their support, describing the bill as a transformative step for the state.
“This bill, once signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will close a gap of over 50 years in the establishment of a federal university in our state,” he said.
He said the university would focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, positioning Cross River as a future hub for innovation and technical expertise.
He also said the university is expected to serve as a catalyst for socio-economic development, particularly for Odukpani, a resource-rich area that has remained underdeveloped despite its proximity to the state capital.
