FG kicks off scheme to promote TVE, others

The Federal Government has said it has kicked off Nigeria’s Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), saying it was aimed at providing quality products and services which are competitive in the global market.

Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, made the disclosure at the 15th combined convocation ceremony of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida Niger State recently.

He stressed that it would help in providing the trained workforce, as well as increase access to Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) and reduce unemployment and youth restiveness in some parts of the country.

Adamu, who was represented at the occasion by the executive secretary, National Board for Technical Education( NBTE) Dr Musa’ Udu Adamu Kazaure explained further that the overall effects would improve the nation’ s economy through a well-trained workforce.

Adamu enjoined all stakeholders in the education sector to key into this noble effort of the government, while charging TVET institutions across the country to serve as training providers, presenting candidates to awarding bodies for certification.

Adamu stressed that the country presently needed graduates of TVET institutions more than ever before because of the roles they played in private sector-driven economy, charging NBTE to bring out more innovative approaches for delivering work that was based on learning and apprenticeships.

The Minister, while congratulating the graduating students of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, on the completion of their academic programmes, urged them to always think of what they could do to move the country forward.

Also in his address at the occasion, chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Professor Mohammed Sani Yahaya commended the current efforts by the Federal Government following its efforts on the technological development of the country.

Professor Yahaya, a former vice chancellor in Taraba State University stated that, if polytechnics were provided with necessary facilities and resources to fully engage in researchers, it would make the required positive difference, considering its abundant local, human and material resources.

In a related development the rector, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Dr Abubakar Abdul Dzukogi, stated that the combined convocation ceremony was for the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 academic sessions.

He noted at the 15th combined convocation ceremony that a total of 10,401 graduands were conferred with National Diploma and Higher National Diploma, while prizes of excellence would be given to a number of students who performed exceptionally well and distinguished themselves in designated pursuits.

The Rector also informed the audience at the occasion that three Nigerian leaders who had distinguished themselves in different endeavours would be conferred with the Fellowship Awards of the polytechnic.

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The awardees, according to him included; the Niger State Governor, Alhaji  Abubakar Sani Bello whom the Agricultural Technology complex of the institution was named after, while the National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC)  Chief John Odigie Oyegun and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar also received fellowship awards.

Dr Abdul Dzukogi further disclosed that the polytechnic had increased from 23 National Diploma students and 35 HND programmes students in five schools at the beginning to 57 programmes in 31 academic departments in seven schools since he came on board in 2015.

According to Dzukogi, the institution came first in project fabrication and construction category of the last National Board for Technical Education exhibition at Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State.

He however appealed to the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to extend funding to the polytechnics in the country to enable it execute various priority capital projects.

Meanwhile, the Etsu Nupe and chairman, Niger State council of traditional rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar on behalf of the awardees congratulated the students, parents, guardians  and the school management for their successes.