Senate vows to work with stakeholders to tackle security, energy challenges in tertiary institutions

By Our Correspondent

The Senate says it will continue to work in collaboration with stakeholders in the tertiary education sector to tackle security and energy challenges in tertiary institutions in the country.

Speaking at a Two-Day retreat to address the urgent and pressing challenges of security and energy that confront tertiary institutions across Nigeria, Deputy Senate President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau insisted on the need to secured the nation’s tertiary institutions.

Barau who declared the Two-Day retreat open said the Senate and the National Assembly in general is determined to do all within its power to rid tertiary institutions in the country of criminals and also overcome the energy challenges on our campuses.

The retreat was organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund in collaboration with Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) with the support of other key stakeholders in the tertiary education sector in the country.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Mohammed Dandutse (Katsina South), in his welcome remarks at the retreat held at the Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos said “the rising tide of insecurity and the persistent energy crisis in our tertiary institutions demand our immediate and focused attention”.

According to him, “the landscape of our educational institutions is fraught with challenges that threaten not only the safety and well-being of our students and faculty, but also the very integrity of our educational mission”.

He said as a committee that is saddled with the responsibility of oversight of tertiary institutions, they cannot fold their hands and watch idly by the deteriorating state of our institutions.

Senator Dandutse said the increasing frequency of attacks on educational institutions, coupled with the pervasive fear that these incidents instill, has led to a decline in enrollment and a deterioration of academic performance.

“Parents are understandably hesitant to send their children to universities where their safety cannot be guaranteed. Consequently, our quest for academic excellence is hindered, and the very future of our nation is at stake.

The Chairman, Governing Board of TETFund and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari said the retreat was timely as it will seek to find lasting solution to security and energy challenges in Nigerian tertiary institution.

The former governor of Katsina state expressed delight that with the calibre of participants at the retreat, he was sure that the recommendations from the retreat will greatly assist in curbing the menace.

In her remarks, Hon. Miriam Odinaka Onuoha, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Institutions assured the participants of the support of the National Assembly in providing a conducive atmosphere in the country’s tertiary institutions.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Edo State and member, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions harped on the importance of our tertiary institutions in driving national development, adding that all stakeholders must brainstorm on finding a lasting solution to security and energy challenges in tertiary institutions in the country.