* As Fed.poly Idah graduates 10,000.
Students showcase cars, trucks , hydro turbines.
Federal Government has restated its Continued commitment to invest massively in the technology and vocational education for
the attainment of a desired nation building.
This, the government noted would be achieved through tertiary education trust fund TetFund and Petroleum Technology Development Fund PTDF in order to reposition technology education for economic empowerment.
The minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu gave the assurance on Saturday during the 25th combine convocation and 45th anniversary celebration of Federal Polytechnic Idah, in Kogi state.
The Minister who was represented by the Director of Polytechnic affairs in the ministry, Dr. Ejeh Usman, said for a nation to be reckoned with in competitive world economy, it must focus on science and technology, which is the bedrock of development.
He added that the present Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will continue to invest heavily in the technology and vocational infrastructure aimed at reposition the polytechnic education to making it the driver of the economy.
He urged management of Federal Polytechnic Idah and all other polytechnics to adhere strictly to the admission policy of ratio 70; 30 in favour of science and technology based programmes.
He charge them to key into the National Skills Qualifications Framework developed by the National Board for Technical Education NBTE to enhance skills development.
The minister however commended the Management of the polytechnic for the convocation and 45th anniversary of the polytechnic, saying the output of the institution who are making waves globally have justified the aspiration of the founding fathers.
According to him” Convocation is not only a day of celebration but a day of stock taking. It signifies completion of years of hardwork and beginning of a new phase in life. It is a day to recognise those years of sacrifice, dedication and to embrace enthusiastically the pride that convocation evokes. It is a time of looking optimistically into the future to share in century old academic tradition and celebrate the graduands.
” I commend the Governing Council, the academic Board and management and staff for a job well done with commitment and dedication towards positive results in both academic and physical development.” He acknowledged.
Earlier, the rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Danjuma David Baba, disclosed that the twenty programmes presented for accreditation have achieved hundred percent results.
He added that the polytechnic under his watch has initiated and executed lots of projects including but not limited to the supply of equipment, furniture, laboratory, machines , internet facilities, and many physical structures.
He said all these projects were geared towards repositioning the institution for outstanding academic and research activities that has enabled the institution to provide right manpower for industries to enhance economic, social, political and technological growth of Nigeria.
The rector said, for the first time in the 45th years of the institution, an inaugural lecture was delivered last week to satisfy the academic tradition ,saying it is his desire for the incoming management to uphold the lectures to put the lecturers at par with their counterparts in other tertiary institutions.
He further disclosed that the Polytechnic took second position in the recent exhibition by all Nigerian Polytechnics in technology and innovation.
He said the students of the Department of engineering demonstrated a great feat with the production of Keke Napep, Sport car and fabrication of Hydro Turbine model , saying all the raw materials used were sourced locally.
He called on investors to leverage on this opportunity to partner with the Polytechnic for commercial production of these vehicles to encourage young innovators and for technological reliance of the nation.
While commending the, Governing Council, principal staff, academic and non academic staff , students and polytechnic communities for their support for his administration, urged them to extend the same gesture to the incoming Management.
Meanwhile, five distinguish individuals– Ambassador Regina Ocheni, Mrs Salamatu Bewa, Idoko Kingsley Lona, Yakubu Muritala Ajaka, and Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, member of House of Representatives were honoured with Fellowship award of the institution
Meanwhile, a total of 10,000 graduands were awarded with ND, HND certificates that spanned across 2018/ 2021.
