(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSC_1557-300x201.jpg) The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'I has commissioned the second campus of Auchi Polytechnic, noting that the development of the campus is in line with this administration's wider policy approach to promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the country.
The Campus, named after the Rector, Dr. Philipa Idogho, the Minister said would enhance the carrying capacity of the institution. The campus is currently home to the School of Business Studies, School of General Studies, Entrepreneurial Village, and Centre for Gender Studies, among others.
While speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at the new campus in Auchi, the Minister said that Government recognizes the place of Technical and Vocational education in employment generation hence it is given requisite attention in the 4-Year Strategic Plan for the Development of the Education Sector, (2011-2015).
The Minister said that in the drive to actualize the Transformation Agenda, attention is given to quality education service delivery. She stressed that it is not just any type of education, but the education that will ensure that "Our citizens develop the skills and competencies to enable them function effectively in society and help drive diverse sector of the economy."
In her words, "TVET must be comprehensively given attention in Nigeria because it will help us to address a number of social, economic and political challenges that we face. With an effective TVET sector, we are assured of skilled manpower that matches the requirements of industries; we are assured of jobs for our young people."
It is on this wise, the Minister said, that a coordinated approach is being adopted to addressing the challenge of TVET development in the country. This approach includes development of the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) and the development of National Occupational Standards.
The Minister said that Polytechnics play pivotal role in the development of TVET hence Government is upgrading all 51 Federal and State Polytechnics laboratories through a special intervention, with initial cost of N15 billion, with a view to making them offer teaching and learning that are relevant to the national development objectives.
While Commending the Management and staff of Auchi Polytechnic for their dynamism, the Minister said the Polytechnic is gradually turning into one of the top institutions in the country. She noted that it is one of the few institutions that is constantly in touch with its parent agencies, as well as promoting and showcasing its work.
In his remarks, Edo Governor, represented by Commissioner of Higher Education, Hon. Osifo, expressed delight at the pace of development at Auchi Polytechnic, saying that the State Government is proud of the Rector.
In her speech, the Rector, Dr. Philipa Idogho, said that on assumption in office in 2008, it was discovered that Campus one was too congested to enhance the necessary ambience for academic work, hence the need to embark on the development of the second campus.
According to her, all that was available on the land, today called Campus two, five years ago, were ten bungalows, ten blocks of flats with boy's quarters abandoned, dilapidated and completely over grown with bushes since 1978, but today, these have been renovated with internally generated revenue.
Dr. Idogho disclosed that the staff and students of the School of Business Studies, School of General Studies, and the Polytechnic consultancy service have moved to the 2nd campus.
She said that besides infrastructural development, she embarked on manpower development, and that presently over 45 members of the teaching staff are pursing various post graduate degrees both locally and abroad.
In a show of expressing the community's appreciation, His Royal Highness, H. A. Momoh, the Ataru of Auchi, made a presentation to the Minister. Also, the students, through their representatives made a presentation to the Minister.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria