Education

Polytechnic Education, Key To Dynamic Economy – Don

Published

10 years ago

August 24, 2015

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State (right), presenting a certificate to the best Student, Flt. Lt. Christian Mensah, at the 44th Convocation of Air Force Institute of Technology, in Kaduna on Wednesday.

A Polytechnic teacher, Dr
Adaku Ngozi Achilike, says a well-groomed polytechnic education is a necessity for the development of any society.
Dr Achilike, who made this assertion recently , at the 3rd National Conference on Polytechnic Education held in Port Harcourt, noted that unlike university education which focuses on physical and intellectual skills, polytechnic education focuses on physical and practical skills.
The implication of this, she hinted, is that university education at the end of the day provides what can be seen as “Blue print” to development while polytechnic education provides “revival”.
“It is important to note that ‘blue print’ is not required to produce excellence students but ‘revival’ can do the magic through paradigm shifts, bearing in mind the technological age we find ourselves at each point in time,” she said.
Polytechnic education, the Associate Professor of Business Education, continued” is deemed as that which offers opportunity for hands-on experience within dynamic on progressive learning setting, with emphasis on practice-base of the university.
According to her, it involves work attachment with industries as part of the curriculum. She however noted that such attachments are currently being done haphazardly.
Discussing on the topic “polytechnic education for science and technology in an emerging economy,” Dr Achilike made comparism between polytechnic education and skill/competency building, polytechnic education and knowledge base, as well as polytechnic education for science and technology.
Regarding skill/competency building, she stated that skill is the capacity to do things well with emerging technologies and can be learned or acquired.
Competency, on the other hand, is a sustainable way of doing things with conscious, superiority and mastery.
“Skills and competencies rule the world while skills and competencies in science and technology shave/shape the world into a more vibrant place for the young and old.
She concluded that with vision 20:2020 by the corner, “well tailored polytechnic education is the desired veritable tool for great achievement and good placement, given skill competency, appropriate knowledge base for improved science and technology system to give a dynamic economic. We shall then compete with comity of nations”.
Narrowing down the topic of the conference to the Nigerian context, Dr Obasi O. Oko in his paper identified key stakeholders who must play their parts to develop Nigeria technologically.
According to him, “the government of Nigeria, the National Assembly, captains of industries, drivers of the polytechnic system and other stakeholders should change their negative attitudes towards technical education in general, and polytechnic education in particular.
“They should also accord the system the prime of place it deserves in the national scheme of things. For, in the system lies the future greatness of Nigeria in terms of techno-industrial development”, he said.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Education

Akwaibom WASCO students gets scholarship award for academic excellence

Published

1 week ago

December 22, 2025

The Tide

In recognition for their academic excellence and innovation, three students of Western Annang Secondary Commercial School WASCO, in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have been honoured with cash awards.

Faith Uwen Uko in SS 2, Goodluck Monday Otobong and God’swill Ndifreke Silas, both in SS3, were awarded scholarships and cash for distinguishing themselves in academics and traits such as curiosity, attention for details and other qualities notable of engineers.

The senior secondary school students were given the award by the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, NSChE, Akwa Ibom/Cross River states chapter, during their end of year dinner and award night held at Helemah Events Center, Uyo, with the theme “The roles of chemical engineers in fostering sustaining health sector.”

They were identified earlier in the year during the society’s visit to the school for career counselling and donation of science equipment, textbooks and stationeries to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics STEM, education.

The tokens of recognition and awards were presented to the students by the Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, Rt.Hon. Edidiong Joseph Inyang, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Uyo, Prof Urua Antia, the representative of the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Jeremiah Anietie and the General Manager, Projects, Oilserv Ltd, Chief Augustine Ukpong.

The occasion featured a presentation on medical oxygen production, a dream project of the society aimed at making medical oxygen available at primary health care facilities through out Akwa Ibom state.

Also, a drama by the wives of chemical engineers helped to deepen understanding of the value of medical oxygen project. The NSChE chapter chairman, Mr Ikemesit Orok, led the dignitaries while Prof Esang Esitikot, moderated it.

Other high points of the award night was the award of scholarship to three outstanding chemical engineering students: Mfonido Ransome Bassey from the University of Uyo, Ifeoma Sandra from Akwa Ibom State University and Linus Owogeka Ogar from the University of Calabar.

Also, presentation of recognition awards to some distinguished personalities for their positive impacts on the engineering profession, commitment to corporate social responsibility and invests in human capacity development.

Education

Community seeks government intervention over Herders Occupation Of School

Published

1 week ago

December 22, 2025

The Tide

The people of Omerelu community in Ikwerre local government Area of Rivers state have called on the state government interventions over an alleged Herdsmen taken over the premises of community Secondary School in the area.

This state of the secondary school have left the students of the community displaced.

Speaking to journalists at Omerelu on the occupation of the school by the herdsmen , an opinion leader from the community , Mr Obinichi Amadi, briefed journalists shortly after the commissioning of the Egbeda–Omerelu Link Road by the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, recently .

Amadi claimed that the problem has persisted for months, but was renewed by commissioning of the road renewed which he said, called for urgent government attention.

According to him, the school which is strategically located along the newly inaugurated road has become unsafe as roaming cattle and herdsmen now occupy its classrooms, open fields, and access routes.

Reports have it that some students who attempted to access the premises in recent weeks confirmed that dilapidated buildings, broken desks, and the presence of herders have made learning impossible.

The Community leader further described the development as both an educational and security crisis.

“The takeover of the school by suspected herdsmen poses a direct threat to children and undermines the developmental prospects expected from the newly completed link road. We want Governor, Siminalayi Fubara to come to our aid”, he said.

He also pointed out that the school which was established to serve the Egbeda–Omerelu corridor, has suffered long-term infrastructural decay, creating the vacuum that allowed herdsmen to encroach on the premises.

He further explained that the community has repeatedly appealed for intervention and is now placing renewed hope in the Governor following the commissioning of the road.

“The irony is stark: while the state government has enhanced access into Omerelu with a modern road, the only major secondary school along that axis is non-functional and overrun by intruders. The road should lead not just to mobility but to meaningful development,” he said.

Meanwhile, student representatives lamented the collapse of their learning environment, citing leaking roofs, collapsed walls, overgrown bushes, and the absence of security as reasons many parents have withdrawn their children for safety.

Parents as it was learnt had warned against closing the school completely and added that it could force them to send their children to distant communities for education purposes.

As the newly commissioned road receives accolades, the people of Omerelu are issuing a clear and urgent call saying that the Government Secondary School, Omerelu must be rescued, rehabilitated, and returned to its students.

It was also gathered that the once-thriving citadel of learning has been in this deplorable state for nearly two decades.

By: King Onunwor

Education

Rivers NYSC Cordinator task corps members on peace building

Published

3 weeks ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

Corps Members have been urged to use the rich cultural heritage of Nigerians to promote peace in the state and country at large.

The Rivers State Coordinator of NYSC Mr. Moses Oleghe gave the charge during the inter-platoon cultural carnival competition for 2025 Batch C Corps Members deployed to the State orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam Tai held over the weekend.

Oleghe while addressing the Corps Members, further charged them to be a “source of light in their host communities,” noting that the “symbolic lighting of the cultural carnival torch means that every Corps Member must be the light that dispels darkness.”

He urged them to integrate and internalize the culture of the people of their area where they serve, strengthen cultural practices that promote human dignity, rights, and respect.”

The radiant and colorful event witnessed the regeneration and rebirth of various ethnic cultures by the Corps Members.

At the end of the competition, 4 platoon was adjudged the overall best, 9 platoon 2nd and 6 platoon 3rd.