I wanted to build 1st Aeronautical Engineering varsity —Uma Ukpai

The founder/president Uma Ukpai Polytechnic, Asaga-Ohafia, Abia, State, Reverend (Dr) Uma Ukpai, has revealed that his dream was to build the first aeronautical engineering university where aircraft would be assembled and serviced.

Dr.Ukpai who was overtaken by emotion during the maiden matriculation ceremony of the school said he had engaged six professors from India and assembled three aircraft to be used in the school, “but enemies of progress stopped me from continuing with that project.”

He said, “The dream started in 1973. I was the first missioner to Ahmadu Bello University and University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1972 and 1973 respectively. I saw the beauty of schools and began to dream about building a school in Asaga.”

But he said he had not given up hope that someday, aircraft would be assembled in Nigeria.

He lamented that Africans have been snubbed and looked down on by the white man who sees no possibility of good things coming out of Africa, and called on Africans to take up the challenge and do the continent proud.

“I am looking for tomorrow thinkers in Nigeria. I am looking for students who will wipe out the labels given to us by the white man. I am looking for students who will send satellite to orbit. I am tired of men who give excuses, who believe in impossibilities,” he said.

Uma Ukpai promised to encourage the best five science students with five million naira.

In his welcome address, the rector, Elder AlwellOnukaogu, called on the Federal Government to review its policy on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

He said it was unfair that TETFund makes no provision for private institutions, and that the policy should be reversed.

Elder Onukaogu said that all approved private tertiary institutions should be given some financial assistance to enable them hire and retain quality staff.

When this is done, he said, “private schools may then review their fees and reduce the burden on the parents of their students”.

He said, “I do know that those days when missions and individuals partnered with government in school ownership at all levels, once a school met all the requirements prescribed by government, government on its part gave such schools what was called grants-in-aid.

“With this, private schools were able to hire and retain quality staff and they were able to compete effectively with government schools.

“Today, private institutions that invest heavily in high level human capacity development are hardly appreciated. What this means is that governments are discriminating against certain citizens who attend private institutions.”

While commending Reverend Ukpai for subsiding the fees and accommodation of students (as each student pays N100,000 including accommodation), the rector noted, “if every community would have an Uma Ukpai, no community would ever be in darkness.”