Funmi Lawrence
The National Universities Commission (NUC) said it will convert the Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, to a conventional university to enable it run other programmes.
Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, Chairman Committee for the review of the law establishing the university made this known in Abuja on Tuesday while presenting the report of the committee.
Ribadu said that the conversion would enable the university-run programmes offered in other universities, especially medical courses to produce more doctors.
According to Ribadu, a bill was presented to the 7th Assembly by Sen. Aisha Ahmed, representing Yola North but did not see the light of the day.
“The establishment of the college of medical sciences which we have seen in the present law has not precluded the university from offering medical sciences so they could start medical sciences.
“The 7th Assembly raised the issue on the floor of the house but it did not see the light of the day.
“But it has now been resuscitated in the senate following a meeting between the Executive Secretary of the commission, Senate President and other stakeholders.
“The committee was therefore set up as fallout of that meeting and the impact will be great on the educational sector.
“This is because if the National Assembly approves the new law establishing the university, it means they will be in a position to offer other conventional programmes that are run in other universities.’’
Ribadu explained further that if bill is passed, it would go a long way in increasing the population of doctors.
This also, he said would impact positively on the state as the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yola would be upgraded to a University Teaching Hospital.
“Right now the FMC Yola, serves neighbouring states and countries like Cameroun but if upgraded will enhance the health of the people of the northern region.
“Also access to medical education and other branches and programmes within the university will be there for students in the region and the whole country,’’ he said.
On the financial implication, Ribadu said the cost would run to about N10.6 billion.
He added that it would also cost the FMC N6.4 billion to be upgraded to a teaching hospital and called Adamawa Government to support the initiative.
Meanwhile, Sen. Aisha Ahmed (Adamawa Central) has commended the committee for making the report available and asked for its implementation in the next two years.
“It is evident that because of the importance of the university to the people of the state and the neighbouring communities, there was need to establish a medical university in Modibbo Adama University of Technology.
“We raised the issues on the floor during the 7th assembly but nothing was done, it was later presented to the 9th senate but no time was wasted on it through the effort of the senate president.
“ What we need to do is to see how best this can be achieved and implemented within the next two years. What is needed now is the detail of implementation and takeoff.’’
She assured the NUC and members of the committee of legislative backing to ensure that the progress was made in its implementation.
Also, Sen. Isaku Abbo (Adamawa North) thanked the committee for making the report available and promised to take it to the next level.
Responding, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, Executive Secretary, NUC said the management of the commission would take the report to the Minister of Education and the President for implementation.
Rasheed said the country must begin to reduce the number of Nigerians that go outside of the country for medical courses.
