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By Madu Obi
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has expressed concern over what he described as the declining standard of higher education in Nigeria.
Speaking when members of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko paid him a courtesy visit, Soludo lamented that many institutions of higher learning have become glorified secondary schools.
The governor, who said that many educational institutions have lost sight of their original purpose, emphasized the need for institutions to redefine their identity and purpose.
He urged the Council to revamp Federal Polytechnic, Oko, and restore its former glory, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships and technological development.
"I knew it when it was Oko Arts of Science. It later changed to Anambra State and finally, Federal Polytechnic, Oko.
It has grown in number and size, but you have a humongous task ahead of you.
I look at the institution with mixed feelings of hope and opportunities but also of despair.
We know where the dream was, but whether we are heading to the position, I don't know.
This is not peculiar to Federal Polytechnic, Oko. Most of our institutions are turning into glorified secondary school.We need to start asking the pivotal question of what our various individual institutions are known for. What comes to mind when our institutions are mentioned.
Sadly, many of our institutions have gone down. We need to go back to the fundamental ideas of our forefathers.
In our own Polytechnic here in Mgbakwu, I have a team reviewing their status. They will soon submit their report on whether the institution is fit for purpose.
It is a general problem of our education, particularly tertiary education.
I call them the "villagization" of our institutions, but I see Nigeria in terms of composition of members of the board.
There is huge work to be done, to be able to rescue our education sector.
I've seen university when it was universal, not minding where one came from but the value being added.
Re-invent Federal Polytechnic, Oko. It has been reduced to a glorified high school."I've seen how it works elsewhere and it pains me to see what is going on here.We have a job to rebuild because education remains the ladder of opportunities.
In terms of strategic partnership with you, there is a whole lot we can do to assist you, though yours is a Federal Institution in Anambra State. Let's do it together".
He congratulated the council members on their appointment and expressed his willingness to collaborate with the institution.
In his speech, the chairman of the Governing Council of the polytechnic, Senator Barnabas Gemade praised Governor Soludo's innovative leadership style and expressed the Council's commitment to work with the state government to promote technological advancement and academic excellence.
He explained that their visit was to officially inform the governor that they had assumed duty in the institution as members of the governing council.
"Part of our work in the institution is to ensure that we collaborate with your government."
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