(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC_0065-300x199.jpg) The present management of the Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi says it has embarked on massive infrastructural development with the completion of many projects which were done through its Internally Generated Revenue, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and capital project intervention fund between the period of 2008 to date.
Rector of the Institution, Dr (Mrs) Philipa Omamhe Idogho made this known on Monday while briefing members of the National Good Governance Tour who were in the Polytechnic on inspection of projects.
She also stated that the institution is giving priority to the continuous development of skills for its past and present students through its Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies. Mrs. Idogho said students who have passed out of the institution as well as students who have skills are either trained or made resource persons at the centre adding that staff of the institution are also involved as resource persons. According to her, the Auchi Polytechnic was also rated the best polytechnic in Africa by Webometrics and was chosen as a centre for technological incubation.
The Rector disclosed that the institution realizes over 590 million naira from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) annually and a portion of which she said goes for the paying of sallaries of its part-time lecturers.
While informing the NGGT team that the management of the institution has followed the National Good Governance Tour since it started, Mrs. Idogho highlighted achievements of her administration to include: one storey building housing 6 classrooms, construction of a block of 4 classrooms, construction of a block of 3 large classrooms, construction of East and West end gates as well as the construction of a block of 3 classrooms for the polytechnic secondary school.
Others are: progressive extension of the perimeter fence of the polytechnic, construction of a demonstration kitchen restaurant, construction of a block of 1 storey building, workshop facilities for the Centre of Entrepreneurial Studies, construction of workshops and laboratories for the development of mineral resources and construction of studios and offices for the Department of Clothing Technology.
She listed more projects to include the construction of a 200 capacity E-Learning Centre, construction of a 100 capacity lecture theatre, construction of a storey building housing 12 classrooms and 4 offices, construction of the entrance gate to the campus, rehabilitation of three blocks of bungalows and renovation of 10 blocks of flats abandoned since 1981 by the then Bendel Government.
The Rector equally informed that the institution through its IGR has established a poultry, 16 fish ponds, goatry and that it plans to run a snail farm.
Speaking during the inspection, the Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen recalled that on his assumption of office, the Rector had met with him to discuss challenges relating to the safety of students crossing the road leading to the campus. He said "Through her effort the Federal Government through my Ministry awarded contract for the construction of two pedestrian bridges.
"I want to assure you that in a couple of weeks, work will start on a pedestrian bridge leading to the main campus and when that is done another one will spring up in the second campus. Because we are dualizing the road very soon, it won't be easy to cross the road that is why we are preparing for it", Arc. Onolememen stated.
Addressing the polytechnic community as well, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku said in the 80s he often visited the Polytechnic as a student leader to hold meetings with the National Association of Technological Students an affiliate of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). "But I know this polytechnic has changed since then. It's not the same polytechnic we used to know", Maku observed.
"We are here to reassure you of the work the Federal Government is doing to give education the prime of place in our nation's development. As you are aware, the President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan himself is an academic. In addition to that, you also have in Government an architect who is Vice President.
"We believe education in Nigeria must be practical. Too much theory won't develop Nigeria. That is why polytechnic education is now taking the front seat. We want people who can apply theory to action and Auchi has always been a centre of theory and practice.
The Minister emphasised that "For a long time, no Government has been investing in Education like President Goodluck Jonathan is doing. He said "We are doing so because we believe that Nigeria has a population of 66million young people. If we can train this population, give them first class education like they have in Germany, America, Russia, Japan and other parts of the world then the future of this nation would be warrantied. The Transformation Agenda is rooted in standard proper education.
"I want to give you this challenge because you are the future of the country. I want to thank your Rector for emphasising discipline. We cannot move this nation forward until you have a sense of adventure and excellence. Adventure and excellence in your studies, adventure and excellence in character. If you have these, then we are sure that in the nearest future we will catch up with other countries of the world. Nigeria is in a hurry to catch up and we are investing to develop you, to train you, so that you will lead Africa, lead the world in technology.
"So we are calling on you to use these facilities to improve your learning. We don't want to hear anything about secret cult, those were the shame of the 80s and 90s. It must go completely from your lives. We don't want a future of violence. Young people all over the world must imbibe the ethics of hard work, strong character and excellence.
"If you look at what is happening all over the world, they are looking up to Nigeria now. Nigeria is going to be the next centre of economic development. Presently, this country is growing faster than any country in Africa and you can see that we are trying to create a new economy that will give you jobs, and that economy can only be private sector driven. That is why as you are in school, think about what you want to do when you leave school.
On the seeming disparity between Polytechnic and University graduates, Mr. Maku said "Also in the government we are trying to bridge that so called gap between Degrees and HNDs. We believe they should be taken at the same level so that people of practical knowledge will be given the opportunity to contribute their quota to national development.
While urging the students to be more committed to their studies, the Information Minister said "These structures themselves will not give you first class education. It is your commitment to use your brain, your discipline to read and work hard and to put your hands to practice that counts"
Click here for more pictures (http://fmi.gov.ng/media-center/galleria/photo-galleria/?file=National%20Good%20Governance%20Tour/NGGT%20EDO%20STATE/AUCHI%20POLYTECHNIC/)
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria