Senate to review TETFUND inclusion for monotechnics

A senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Yunus Akintunde, said on Thursday that the Senate has promised to look into the issue of the non-inclusion of monotechnics as beneficiaries of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and other related matters.

He gave the assurance in response to the requests of the Provost of the Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Ibrahim Lawal, at the 85th anniversary of the Institute.

“Some of the issues concerning funding, as presented by the Provost, will be tabled on the floor of the Senate for consideration,” he said.

Earlier, the Provost requested more funding for the Institute to carry out research in various fields that would be of immense benefit to the nation.

“The Institute has the potential to contribute meaningfully to efforts at mitigating climate change, controlling the hazards of flooding, and reducing the cost of medicines through scientifically researched and controlled herbal preparations using non-timber forest products, thereby boosting the economy and health sector.

“However, one major drawback to this achievement is inadequate funding, noting that cutting-edge research requires a substantial amount of funding.

“I wish to state that the College has been and is still being funded by the Federal Government through budgetary allocations, and the College will always be very appreciative, as the Government has never faltered in this responsibility.

“However, we must all agree that the Government cannot do this alone. Hence, the reason the Government, in its wisdom, created the Education Trust Fund, now Tertiary Education Trust Fund, is to help pool funds for the furtherance of research and teaching at our higher education level,” he said.

He reiterated that the Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, under FRIN, has benefited from the ETF, now TETFund, in years past.

“This was, however, discontinued over a decade ago. This has certainly slowed down the College’s research and teaching activities, as well as infrastructural development,” he said.

Also speaking, the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, implored the Federal Government to put in place the necessary mechanisms that would promote a continuous tree planting system and other environmental health practices to address the challenges of flooding and environmental degradation.

He stressed the need for people to help nature so that nature could, in turn, help the people.

Lawal also cautioned against the indiscriminate felling of trees, urging Nigerians to be circumspect regarding the treatment of the nation’s forests if stakeholders intend to explore the benefits of the sector to provide pharmaceutical support.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, in his address, reiterated the commitment of the Government to environmental protection and sustainable development.

“Plans are also ongoing to upgrade the Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, and Jos into degree-awarding institutes. Together, we can develop policies that promote sustainable practices while ensuring the livelihoods of communities that depend on them,” he said.