ADDRESS OF SENATOR REPRESENTING KOGI CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT, SENATOR YAKUBU OSENI ON THE PUBLIC HEARING OF HIS BILL SEEKING ESTABLISHMENT OF STEEL UNIVERSITY AJAOKUTA.
Protocols
We appreciate Almighty Allah, the maker of every being and sustainer of life. He is the only one that knows the end from beginning. I appreciate Him for granting you all successful journey to this all important public hearing on the bill for the establishment of Steel University Ajaokuta which I first presented before my Distinguished Colleagues sometimes last year.
Today, I deem your esteemed presence here as a pure show of patriotism to our country and your contributions towards having a strong and sustainable economy that would stand the unforeseen test of time.
We all know that Ajaokuta Steel Project which is undeniable catalyst for this bill is located on 24,000 hectares of sprawling green-field land-mass. The steel plant itself is built on 800-hectares of land.
Built on a 24,000 hectares (59,000 acres) site starting in 1979, it is the largest steel mill in Nigeria, and according to experts, the coke oven and by-products plant are larger than all the refineries in Nigeria combined.
The steel mill reached 98% completion in 1994, with 40 of the 43 plants at the facility having been built. To supply the Ajaokuta Steel Mill with raw materials and connect it with the world market.
If the automobile industry like Ajaokuta Steel Mill can be revamped as planned by the Government, possible benefits that Nigeria stands to gain include technology transfer, employment for Nigerians, revenue generation through taxes, reduction in balance of trade deficit, increased GDP and safety specifications. Operation of steel complex of this magnitude is technological-driven and practical oriented.
It is indeed heartwarming to inform you that there are existing structures for the take-off of the proposed Steel University.
Ladies and gentlemen, I discovered through my personal research that considerable percent of our challenges as a nation could be tackled through purposeful and strategic education of our people in sensitive sectors. Then, I ask, in this 21st century, can education and its institutions be in excess especially in our society that is battling with hydra-headed security issues?
I made mention of strategic education owing to the intractable intellectual gaps that this bill is seeking to bridge in our economy. In summary, the bill seeking the establishment of Steel University Ajaokuta is simply meant to fill manpower gaps in the steel industry in our quest to breakaway from decades of monolithic and crude-oil centred economy.
My dear distinguished participants, it may interest you to know that industrialized and developed nations of the world did not attain their levels of development by merely wishing it. Their dreams and aspirations were actualized through a well thought out, planned and executed education system and institutions. The giant strides made by most Asian countries that are fast competing with the developed countries of Europe and North America had to work on the quality and relevance of their education system to ensure that it met their needs of science and technology.
Therefore, Nigeria’s aspiration to become one of the industrialized and developed countries of the world can only be actualized through a relevant, functional and quality education system especially in sectors bothering on the economy. From the foregoing, you can deduce that this bill for which we are all gathered is pertinent to two important aspects of our national life. These are education and economy.
It is on this note that I specially commend President Muhammadu Buhari for the palpable and verifiable effort his administration has made for resuscitation of the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Complex. This administration has been able to resolve all diplomatic and legal encumbrances that have hindered the completion of Ajaokuta Steel Complex for decades and just like we have in the maritime and petroleum sectors, an academic institution ought to be established to provide manpower needed for the steel company. The long term advantage of this institution is that it will facilitate the complete indigenization of the steel company because when there are home grown steel experts, there will be no need to hire expatriates from foreign countries.
However, all these lofty ideas and projections could be a tall dream amidst wanton insecurity in the land. This is why the entire people of Kogi State have continued to pour encomiums on the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello whose administration has been awarded and scored very high in tackling insecurity. Safety of structures, staff of the proposed Steel University Ajaokuta and even other investors in the Confluence State is guaranteed as a result of the secured and enabling environment provided by the New Direction administration.
I believe the decision of Kogi State Government to complement the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari in reviving the Steel complex is in realisation of the fact that in global technology market, the steel exerts enormous influence on trade and greatly direct bilateral engagement of nations*. Just like China and Japan that have achieved a great feat in steel development and can direct the trends of steel transaction in the global market today, Nigeria can equally become a big time player at the global level. However, before then, are we ready and up to date in terms of manpower and technical know how? This is the essence of the bill.
As a nation, we have to develop, evolve an educational system and institutions that are in line with research in technology and metallurgy. It is the home grown products of these institutions (for instance, Steel University, Ajaokuta) that will competently handle the various technical aspects of our steel complex which is much needed for speedy industrialization.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is just the brief insight of this bill which is very dear to me. It is dear to me because I see Nigeria being lifted into the league of one of the most industrialized nations. As you deliberate, think of having Nigeria whose major source of earnings is not solely tied to crude oil. Establishment of Steel University Ajaokuta is a veritable means of providing the needed home grown technological and metallurgical experts for our steel and solid mineral sector.
I wish you fruitful and happy deliberation.
Senator Yakubu Oseni
Kogi Central
23rd March, 2021.