Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has signed into law two bills, one establishing another university called the State University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa and the other establishing the State College of Agriculture in Obubra.
The state has Cross River State University of Science and Technology (CRUTECH), which has largely remained underfunded and understaffed, according to reports.
The two laws, officially titled the Cross River State University of Education and Entrepreneurship Law 2024 and the Cross River State College of Agriculture Law 2024, were signed during the State Executive Council meeting held at the chambers of the Traditional Rulers’ Council in Calabar on Wednesday.
In his address, Governor Otu emphasized that the appointment of governing councils and principal officers for both institutions will be prioritized in the coming weeks.
He commended the leadership and members of the State House of Assembly for their expeditious review and passage of the bills, noting their steadfast collaboration with the executive arm.
The new State University of Education and Entrepreneurship succeeds the former State College of Education, Akamkpa, while the College of Agriculture in Obubra changes from being a campus of the University of Cross River State, Calabar.
The Clerk of the State Legislature, Mrs. Kate Ubi, Esq., and the Commissioner for Education, Senator Steven Odey, jointly presented the bills to Governor Otu for assent.
In addition to signing the two laws, the State Executive Council approved five executive draft bills for onward transmission to the State House of Assembly
These include: Cross River State Roads Fund Law, 2024; Cross River State Rural Access Roads Authority Law, 2024; Cross River State Lotteries and Gaming Agency Law, 2024; Cross River State Water User Association Law, 2024; as well as the Amendment of the Cross River State Counterpart Fund Law, 2024.
These draft bills, aimed at improving infrastructure, governance, and public services, are expected to undergo legislative review in the coming weeks.
Governor Otu expressed optimism that these legislative efforts would accelerate socio-economic development across the state.
