Rise Up to Technological Development, Tinubu Urges Nigerian Graduates

•As Oko Polytechnic holds combined 19th convocation

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian graduates to brace up to technological advancement and ensure that Nigeria does not lag behind in the area.

The president gave the advice  yesterday in his visitor’s address during the combined convocation ceremony of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.

The president was represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.

The event was the 19th convocation of the institution which had graduates from the 2010/2011 and 2020/2021 academic sessions.

In the address, which was read by the Director Polytechnic Education in the ministry, Dr. Ejeh Usman, Tinubu said: “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 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. As a government, 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. Government has made giant strides in the funding of education and will continue to do so.”

Tinubu added that he is aware that 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 said he is delighted that Federal Polytechnic Oko has benefitted massively from these interventions. 

“Through TETFUND interventions, staff of this institution have been sponsored in both local and foreign Institutions for their post-graduate programmes and attendance of workshops and conferences. 

“Government, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda has, through the present Management provided the following infrastructural developments projects; 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, Public Administration and the School of Arts, Design and Printing Technology Buildings.

“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 4-Year Strategic Plan as a Road map for the Sector. Consequently, the Federal Ministry of Education had a one-day National Stakeholders workshop on the development of a roadmap for the Nigerian education sector on 19th October, 2023. It is believed that the final roadmap will translate to the education we all dream of,” the president said.

Earlier, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo, enumerated some of the challenges of the institution, stating that under her watch in the past five years, the institution has made giant strides both in infrastructure and quality education.

The institution during the event awarded fellowship to three distinguished  personalities. 

They include the senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the proprietor of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Mr. Innocent Chukwuma and a businessman, Mr. Chidozie Nwankwo.