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By Madu Obi
President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian Polytechnics to brace up to technological advancement to ensure that the country does not lag in that area.
The president, who spoke through the
Director, Polytechnic Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Ejeh Usman, at the 19th combined convocation ceremony of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, for 2010/2011 to 2020/2021 academic sessions, said technical education holds immense potential for driving national development.
He added that as the country strives for economic growth and global competitiveness, the role of technical education becomes increasingly pivotal. The president said: "The impact of technical education in the creation of skilled workforce equipped with practical knowledge essential for various industries, cannot be overstated.
"This is why government designed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to develop manpower whose creativity, skill and entrepreneurial abilities will stimulate job creation and significantly induce sustainable economic growth. It is expected that TVET will assist in bridging the skills gap in the labour market."
"We live in the era of science and technology. With technical revolution and innovations in science and technology, labour-market needs have significantly evolved."
"Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a new global player and has thrown up new challenges. As a nation we must ensure our relevance in the global landscape and set the stage for long term progress and prosperity."
"We cannot afford to lag behind in the global technological development. I therefore call on you as graduates in technical and technological field to rise up to the challenge."
The government is not relenting in developing the science and technology base of the nation.
"We are aware of the role and impact of quality education with respect to science and technological development. It can never be overstated that education is the key to this."
"This informed government’s unwavering commitment to the educational growth of our nation." According to the president, government had made giant strides in the funding of education and would continue to do so."
"There are several grants and intervention schemes which educational institutions are beneficiaries of, in order to train and develop manpower, promote research and aid teaching and learning", he stated, explaining delight that Federal Polytechnic Oko had benefitted massively from the interventions.
According to him, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, interventions, staff of the Institution have been sponsored in both local and foreign Institutions for their post-graduate programmes, as well as attendance of workshops and conferences.
He added: "Government, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, has, through the present management, provided infrastructural development projects, including Multipurpose Hall, ICT, School of Renewable Energy, Agricultural Technology Engineering, Chemical Engineering laboratory, Deans Complex, Food Technology Laboratory, the male and female hostels, the School of Environmental Design and Technology, School of General Studies , PublicAdministration and the School of Arts, Design and Printing Technology buildings."
However, government is fully aware of the numerous challenges still facing our education sector in the areas of funding, access and equity, capacity building for teachers, strengthening of institutional management, technical and vocational education, among others.
"In tackling some of these challenges, this administration is developing a four - year strategic plan as a road map for the sector".
The president reminded Nigerians that no meaningful development can be made in the midst of crises and industrial strife, emphasizing that it is therefore pertinent that all stakeholders, including staff, students and host community, resort to fruitful dialogue at all times, rather than engage in violent confrontations to press home their demands.
"As a technical institution, it is expedient that you do not backtrack in producing skilled and entrepreneurial graduates who can easily carve out a niche for themselves and be relevant to the growth of national economy."
"The Federal Government will therefore not relent on its support to the sub-sector as long as it sustains its relevance in the national quest. This calls for a renewed emphasis on the strict compliance to the 70-30 admission ratio in favour of science and technology programmes by all polytechnic."
"We live in the era of Science and Technology. With technical revolution and innovations in science and technology, labour-market needs have significantly evolved," he stated.
The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Francisca Nwafulugo observed that grooming the young men and women in learning and in character was, no doubt a big task.
She said: "I remain grateful to God that we didn’t fail in that task. I will not fail to recognize and appreciate our staff, both teaching and non-teaching whose commitment and diligence in imparting knowledge, guidance and mentorship contributed significantly in molding and shaping the minds of these our graduates."
"I will also commend all the graduates for adhering to the rules and regulations during their stay as students which has also helped them to succeed. In the hallowed halls of Federal Polytechnico Oko, our graduates have not merely acquired knowledge, they have imbibed the spirit of innovation, resilience and a thirst for continuous learning."
The Institution has been a nurturing ground for fostering not only academic excellence but also the development of well rounded individuals equipped to face the challenges of the dynamic world beyond these polytechnic walls.
The education imparted at Federal Polytechnic Oko extends far beyond textbooks and classrooms. It is an education that instills values, encourages critical thinking and nurtures the spirit of community service.
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