…As 3 died, 5 rescued in Kano boat mishap***

The Senate on Thursday rejected a bill proposing the establishment of Maritime University of Nigeria, Lokoja in Kogi, saying there would be no room for any 419 university, until the existing ones are adequately 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,” a senator insisted.

The rejection followed a presentation by the sponsor, Sen. Isaac Alfa (PDP-Kogi); even as the Police, in another development confirmed Thursday, that three persons died, while five others were rescued  after a canoe conveying eight people from Kayya to Jogana village of Tudun Wada Local Government Area, Kano, capsized.

The bill, which was listed for second reading, was rejected by the 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 urged the lawmakers not to attach geographical location and other sentiments to the bill.

Sen 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.

Sen. 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.

Sen. Biodun Olujimi(PDP-Ekiti), said the sponsor of the bill should withdraw it for more work.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, put it to a voice vote and the nays had it.

Meanwhile, three persons have been reported dead, while five others were rescued when a canoe conveying eight people from Kayya to Jogana village of Tudun Wada Local Government Area, Kano, capsized.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Kano Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the incident in a statement in Kano on Thursday.

Haruna said “On May 7 at about 5 p.m, the police received a report that on the same date at about 3 p.m a canoe containing eight people capsized from Kayya to Jogana Village .

“Five persons were rescued, while three persons: Ashiru Hamisu,27, Ibrahim Tasi’u,45, and Buhari Basiru, 23, all of Fankanoki Village were drown” Haruna said.

He said some of the victims were rescued, while others rushed to Tudun Wada General Hospital were confirmed dead.

The PPRO said the corpses had been released to their relatives, adding that investigation was in progress to ascertain the cause of the accident.