The Senate on Thursday rejected a bill proposing the establishment of Maritime University of Nigeria, Lokoja.

Igbere TV reports that the bill which was listed for second reading at plenary, was sponsored by Senator Isaac Alfa (PDP, Kogi).

Our correspondent at the National Assembly Complex reports that the bill was rejected by lawmakers through voice vote.

While making their contributions, the lawmakers had advised the sponsor of the bill to withdraw it following several reasons including the need for more work to be done.

Alfa however, refused to withdraw the bill, saying he had done a lot of work on it.

He instead urged the lawmakers not to attach geographical location and other sentiments to the bill.

On his part, Senator Barau Jibrin (Kano North) noted that there was a new federal university in Lokoja, while suggesting that the proposed maritime university should be sited in another riverine community of the same state.

Adding his voice, Senator Olusola Adeyeye (APC, Osun), said there was no need for the university, adding that universities across the country were poorly funded.

“You create universities and get under funding. I will continue to oppose every new university until old ones are funded.

“Let the universities in the maritime areas create maritime faculties. We should not embark on 419 for our children until old ones are funded,” Adeyeye said.

Senator Biodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti), therefore, called on the sponsor of the bill to withdraw and do more work on it.

President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, thereafter, put the bill to a voice vote and the nays had it.

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