Community leaders in the Adikpo area of Benue State have donated 110 hectares of land and other primary infrastructure for the take-off of the proposed federal polytechnic in the area.
The member representing Kwande/ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Terseer Ugbor disclosed this in Abuja during the public hearing on four bills organized by the House Committee on Technical Education chaired by Hon. Kayode Laguda.
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He acknowledged that the groundwork for this institution was laid during the 8th National Assembly when “Senator Barnabas Gemade sponsored a bill for its establishment. The community, demonstrating their unwavering commitment generously donated a vast tract of land measuring 110 hectares.
“Furthermore, primary infrastructure was put in place, with buildings erected in anticipation of the takeoff of the polytechnic.
“Unfortunately, despite these commendable efforts and investments, the bill did not successfully scale through, for reasons that still remain unclear to my constituents. This unforeseen setback has become a deeply emotional issue for my people as the physical manifestation of their hopes, the buildings, now stand idle, a poignant reminder of what could have been.
“Mr. Chairman and Honourable Members, I would like to bring to your attention a glaring disparity in the educational landscape within our state, despite our local government producing 5 Vice Chancellors who have served in the state and national levels. The Benue North-East Senatorial District (Zone A), where this proposed polytechnic will be located has seven Local Governments with a population of over a million people without a single federal institution of higher learning, neither a Polytechnic, University or an institution of higher learning of any kind.
“In contrast, Zone B (Benue North-West) boasts of 5 higher institutions, including the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, (formerly Federal University of Agriculture), the Federal Polytechnic Wanunne, the Benue State University Makurdi, the Akperan Orshi Polytechnic Yandev and the Akawe Torkula Polytechnic in Makurdi. Zone C (Benue South) has 4 Institutions, including the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, the Federal College of Education, Odugbo, the College of Education, Oju and the Benue Polytechnic, Ugbokolo.
“The Benue North-East (Zone A) can only boast of a state College of Education in Katsina-Ala. This disparity is not only unjust but also disadvantageous to the educational and economic development of our youths.
“It is pertinent to state here that Kwande Local Government, where Adikpo is located, boasts of one of the highest numbers of secondary schools in Benue State. The abundance of secondary education underscores the need for a tertiary institution to provide a pathway for students to pursue higher learning and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s progress.
“The proposed polytechnic will offer a wide range of programs in information technology, engineering, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. These programs will be designed to meet the needs of our local communities, providing students with the skills and training required to fill in-demand jobs.
“Also, by providing access to affordable and high-quality education, we can help level the playing field for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. We can give them the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and achieve their full potential.
“In view of these undisputable facts, | wish to enlist your strong support for the passage of this bill as the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo would not only address the educational imbalance of the state but also unlock the potential of the children from this region whom will also stand a chance to benefit from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) initiated by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration,” he noted.
In his address, Chairman, House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Hon. Kayode Laguda urged all the Stakeholders to “support the passage of these Bills into Law because they are timely and strongly align with our quest for a strategic educational progress and sustainable human capital development in Nigeria.”
According to him, the “primary objectives of establishing the Federal Polytechnic in Adikpo, Benue State and College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition in Illela Sokoto State is to teach and train technicians and middle-level Nigerians who will serve as catalysts for rapid industrialization and development of the real economic sector.
“Given the uncertainties in the global economy, you will collectively agree with me that knowledge and skill in social sciences, technology, entrepreneurship, vocational, and technical education are the panacea to socio-economic development.
“It is therefore important for us to prioritise and recognise the importance of establishing these academic and training institutions for specific purposes of driving economic growth, improving the standard of our youths, creating platform for skill acquisition, empowering human capital as well as addressing general societal challenges.
“The passage of these Bills into Law would adequately ensure that our youths are technologically empowered to strategically address the complex challenges of unemployment, wealth or income inequality, and chronic poverty in our society.
“Based on potential benefits of these institutions, I urge us all to work collaboratively as patriots towards a successful deliberation by approaching this public hearing with an open and teachable mind, willingness to learn, and commitment to finding sustainable solutions to our educational challenges.
“More importantly, let us work together towards ensuring a productive educational sector for the overall benefits of our dear citizens and the nation at large.”
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