It is no more a news that Obokun has gotten an edge over Iwo on the most anticipated Federal College of Education approved by President Buhari to be cited in Osun. Though Iwo Federal Constituency still has a chance of a lifetime.
Without a doubt, both lawmakers representing Iwo at National Assembly, Hon Amobi Yinusa and Senator Oriolowo, sponsored a bill for the establishment of Federal College of Education in Iwo. Associations, organisations, individuals and all wishers agitated for this tertiary to cited in Iwo. It seems hopelessness and discouragement welcomes the anticipation as Obokun outsmart Iwo by getting the public hearing, a well-done job by Senator Fadahunsi Francis Adenigba.
Moreover, our agitation which has been based on justice, equity and fairness are well presented. The question is, what went wrong?
Has Federal College of Education, Iwo Been Lost?
The question begging for an answer is, how did Senator Fadahunsi outplay our lawmakers in Iwo? Sentiment apart, Senator Fadahunsi is a member of People Democratic Party (PDP) while our lawmakers (Senator Oriolowo and Hon Amobi) are members of the ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC).
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Let’s take a look at how the bills were presented and sponsored in the National Assembly.
Osun State has 12 parliamentarians at the 9th Assembly. 3 Senators at the Red Chambers and 9 House of Representatives at the Green Chamber. 8 out of these 12 parliamentarians sponsored a bill to get the Federal College of Education in their domain. Take a look at when the bills were sponsored and the stage it has reached.
HB 398: Federal College of Education Iwo, Osun State (Establishment) Bill, 2019
Sponsored by: Hon. Amobi Yinusa Akintola
Status: Awaiting Committee Report
First Reading: 29/10/2019
Second Reading: 14/11/2019
Committee Referred To: Tertiary Institutions and TETFund
HB 363: Federal College of Education, Gbongan (Establishment) Bill, 2019
Sponsored by: Hon. Taiwo Olukemi Oluga
Status: Awaiting Committee Report
First Reading: 09/10/2019
Second Reading: 21/11/2019
Committee Referred To: Committee on Tertiary Education
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HB 493: Federal College of Education, Ila-Orangun, Osun State (Establishment) Bill, 2019
Sponsored by: Hon. Olufemi Fakeye
Status: Awaiting Committee Report
First Reading: 21/11/2019
Second Reading: 26/11/2019
Committee Referred To: Committee on Tertiary Education and Services
HB 651: Federal College of Education Ifon, Osun State (Establishment) Bill, 2020
Sponsored by: Hon. Oyewo Olubukola Oyegbile
Status: First Reading
First Reading: 30/01/2020
HB 532: Federal College of Education (Technical) Ikirun, Osun State (Establishment) Bill, 2019
Sponsored by: Hon. Afolabi Rasheed Olalekan
Status: Awaiting Committee Report
First Reading: 27/11/2019
Second Reading: 26/02/2020
Committee Referred To: Committee Tertiary Education and Services
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SB 164: Federal College of Education (Technical) Iwo, Osun State (Est. etc.) Bill, 2019
Sponsored by: Sen. Adelere Adeyemi Oriolowo
Status: First Reading
First Reading: 14/11/2019
SB 300: Federal College of Education, Ila Orangun Bill, 2019
Sponsored by: Sen. Ajibola Surajudeen Bashir
Status: First Reading
First Reading: 17/12/2019
SB 134: Federal College of Education (Technical) Ibokun (Est. etc.) Bill, 2019
Sponsored by: Sen. Fadahunsi Francis Adenigba
First Reading: 6/11/19
Second Reading: 25/02/2020
Committee Referred To: Committee Tertiary Education and Services
Public Hearing: 09/03/2020
Passing a bill into law, it requires the following stages;
- First reading
- Second reading
- Committee stage
- Third Reading and Passage
- Harmonisation
- Assent (President’s Signature)
With the above stages of passing a bill, we can say, all hopes are yet not lost. Though it will require relentless efforts to push for this. As a matter fact, Hon Amobi was second to sponsor the bill for the establishment of Federal College of Education in Iwo after Honourable Taiwo Oluga as far as in October, 2019. The bill passed second reading in November same year and was referred to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.
Funnily enough, Senator Fadahunsi’s sponsored bill passed first reading in November, 2019 and also the second reading in February, 2020. Though he played his games well and outsmart others. A public hearing held on March 9th, 2020 on the following institutions: Federal College of Education, Mutun Biyu in Taraba State, Federal College of Education, Giwa in Kaduna State and Federal College of Education, Ibokun in Osun state. The Public Hearing was organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.
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A public hearing 2 weeks after the bill of Federal College of Education, Obokun was referred to the committee. Let’s ask ourselves, what happened to a sponsored bill by Hon Amobi which has been referred to the Committee since November, 2019. Also, 4 out of 7 bills were also referred to the committee but the bill that was referred last got the public hearing.
This piece is not to point fingers of blame at anybody. Hon Amobi Yinusa and Senator Oriolowo have done well so far on this bill. However, we can’t sing their praise until the glory is brought to Iwoland. Notably, Senator Oriolowo needs to push more. Among the 3 senators in Osun State at National Assembly, only Senator Fadahunsi bill got referred to the committee while the bill of our distinguished Senator Oriolowo ended its journey at the first reading.
At the public hearing, the Senior Legislative Aide (SLA) to Senator Oriolowo, Barrister Adam Adedimeji did well to present the case of Iwo Federal Constituency. He opposed the establishment of the College of Education at Obokun by stating some facts. Barr. Adam Adedimeji urged the committee to consider fairness, justice and equity why Iwo Federal Constituency is the best place.
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As at March 9th, 2020 the day of the public hearing, the Federal College of Education has not been approved to any constituency or senatorial district. The committee said they will look into the agitation and ensure fairness when presenting their report to the house.
Lastly, Iwoland has the hope alive. I believe Senator Oriolowo, Hon Amobi and other concerned individuals will use the lifeline chance to put more efforts. Politics is a game of numbers. Our parliamentarians from Iwoland should use any power, connection and influence at their disposal to get it done. If we fail to get it now, the rest will be history.
In addition, our huge population of 191,348 people in Iwo Federal Constituency as at 2006 Population Census should not be useful only during elections.
If prayer is the only contribution you can offer as a son or daughter of the soil, please do. This fight is not only our fight but also for the coming generation.
God bless Iwoland.
