By Awayi Kuje

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has pledged a robust collaboration with the executive to achieve global best standard in the education sector of the state.

The legislature made promise when it commenced the 2023 budget defence exercise by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Lafia on Friday.

Mr Daniel Ogazi, the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, said this when the managements of College of Agriculture, Science and Technology (COAST), Lafia; College of Education (COE), Akwanga; and Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) appeared before the committee for their 2023 budget defence.

Ogazi said that the importance of education to societal development could not be overemphasised, hence the need of the committee’s readiness to leave no stone unturned to achieve global education standard in the state.

The chairman described budget defence exercise as one of the constitutional responsibilities of the lawmakers.

”We have invited you to come to defend your institutions 2023 budget proposals as His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule on Nov. 22, 2022, has presented the 2023 budget to this House for consideration and approval.

“And the budget has already scaled first and second readings at the floor of this House and Mr Speaker has committed the budget to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation to work on it and report back to the House, hence the need for this exercise.

“Budget defence is one of our constitutional responsibilities and I believe that you are well equipped with all the necessary documents for the defence.

“Your are to tell us the challenges facing your institutions with the view of addressing them.

“We will work together and partner with you as we are doing our best for the overall development of your institutions and the state at large,” he said.

Ogazi commended the institutions for their good budget presentations, but urged them to do more in the area of revenue generation for the overall development of their institutions and the state at large.

He assured that the committee would continue to oversight the activities of their institutions to ensure that right things are done and for the betterment of the education sector.

The chairman also commended the governor for prioritising the education sector, while assuring of the committee’s readiness to support the state government in its efforts to boost education and other sectors.

Earlier, Dr Yahaya Maikafi, the Provost College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, thanked the committee for always supporting its activities to succeed.

“I want to thank His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule, and this Honourable Committee for giving our institution the much needed support to succeed.”

He disclosed that the institution would commence Engineering programmes in the 2023 academic session.

On his part, Dr Jonathan Thani, Provost, College of Education, Akwanga, also appreciated the committee for being up and doing in ensuring improved standard of education in the institution.

He assured of his readiness to continue to key into good policies and programmes that would improve on the standard of education in the instituction.

The provost, however, appealed to the state government for the implementation of four years outstanding promotions of academic and non-academic staff of the institution.

Also, Prof. Suleiman Mohammed, the Vice Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, appreciated the committee for the role it played in ensuring the taking over of the university staff salaries by the state government.

The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Sa’adatu Liman, thanked Gov. Abdullahi Sule for taking over the salaries of staff of the institution among other efforts he made for the development of the university.

The vice chancellor assured of his readiness to upscale the academic standard of the institution. (NAN)