Ekiti Assembly Begins Work on Bill to Upgrade Ijero College of Health to Polytechnic

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The Ekiti State House of Assembly has begun legislative work on a bill seeking to upgrade the College of Health Science and Technology, Ijero Ekiti, to a Polytechnic.

The move, lawmakers said, is aimed at strengthening technical education, boosting job creation, and improving the state’s revenue base.

According to a statement signed by Mr. Olasunkanmi Ekundayo, ANIPR, Director of Information Services, Ekiti State House of Assembly (EKHA), the bill was presented during Tuesday’s plenary session and has scaled its first reading.

The proposed law, sponsored by the Leader of the House, Hon. Tolulope Ige, is expected to transform the institution into a full-fledged technological centre capable of producing skilled manpower to serve both the health and industrial sectors of the economy.

Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, commended the sponsor and referred the bill to the House Committee on Education, Science and Technology for further legislative work and on-the-spot assessment of the institution’s facilities.

The Speaker said the initiative would reposition the school, which was established in 2000, to meet modern academic and technological standards.

During the same plenary, the Assembly passed two key electoral-related bills into law — the Ekiti State Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (Fourth Amendment) Bill 2025.

The new laws are designed to strengthen the independence of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and align the conduct of local government elections with national electoral guidelines.

Aribasoye noted that the amendments would enhance transparency, credibility, and continuous functionality of the SIEC before and after elections.

The House also considered the 2025 Supplementary Appropriation Bill valued at ₦398 billion, aimed at consolidating the shared prosperity agenda of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s administration. The bill was committed to the Committee on Appropriation for detailed legislative scrutiny.

In another development, the Assembly deliberated on a petition presented by Hon. Tope Longe (Oye I) on the alleged harassment and extortion of private vehicle owners by illegal revenue collectors. The matter was referred to the Committee on Trade and Investment for investigation, with a directive to report back within three weeks.

Meanwhile, the House announced the passing of Bishop Emeritus Olatunji Fagun, whom the Speaker described as a devoted Christian leader and man of faith whose legacy would be long remembered.