The Benue State House of Assembly has passed a bill for the establishment of the Benue State College of Nursing Sciences during its Thursday plenary in Makurdi.
The bill followed a debate led by the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West), who emphasised the importance of the proposed institution.
Dugeri told colleagues that the public strongly supported the bill due to its relevance and urged the House to fast-track its passage to secure the necessary accreditation for the institution.
Speaker Alfred Emberga, while reviewing the bill clause by clause, stated that the college would operate campuses in Makurdi, Adikpo, and Otukpa to enhance accessibility.
Emberga noted that anyone appointed as provost of the school must be a qualified nurse holding a Master’s Degree in Nursing, to ensure academic and professional standards.
He added that the provost’s term would last four years, with a possibility of renewal for another four years based on performance and institutional needs.
The speaker then directed the Clerk of the House, Dr Bem Mela, to read the bill for the third and final time before the House.
After the third reading was completed by the Clerk, the speaker declared that the bill had been passed. – NAN.
