Rector Warns Poly Students On Social Vices

The Rector of the Federal

School of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu, Dr Kehinde Sofoluwe, has urged polytechnic students to eschew violence and other social vices.

She gave the advice while speaking at the National Summit and 80th Senate Session of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) in Enugu on Friday.

Sofoluwe urged the students to embrace diligence, hardwork and honesty, saying the three virtues would help them to excel them in their chosen career.

“Honesty and hardwork bring out the best in every human being,” she said while urging the students to be focused as they bear in mind that only the leaders of today would hold on to the flame of a better society.

“It is my prayer that NAPS sets out models in their respective callings, so that they will add more feathers to their caps,’’ the rector said.

She thanked NAPS for giving her the award of Icon of Diligent Service in recognition of her work and excellence, saying that she was just carrying out her work according to the dictates of God.

NAPS’ Senate President, Mr Edwin Kelly, expressed delight with the delegates’ attendance at the summit and senate, which was the highest decision-making body of the organisation.

Kelly added that a lot of appeals had been made in the past to the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Assembly for an end to the discrimination against HND holders.

“It is however regrettable that this issue is yet to be addressed. “The only thing the government has succeeded in achieving is the unification of matriculation examinations with those having higher scores being admitted into universities and those with lower scores going to polytechnics.

“But our Senate has championed and will continue to fight to eliminate all forms of discrimination against HND-awarding institutions and their graduates. “We are looked down upon and treated like second-class citizens in our fatherland,’’ he said.

Mr Patrick Anigbo, the Registrar of the school, commended the leadership of NAPS for being articulate and urged it not to look back in its endeavours. He expressed appreciation to NAPS for the recognition of the good works of the rector and the award. The Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the state, Mr Augustine Okolie, said the summit was a great avenue to interact with students.

He said it also provided an occasion to encourage them to look to the future with hope and great expectations.

“The future of the nation belongs to the youths, particularly to the polytechnic students because of the practical aspect of their studies,’’ Okolie said.

According to him, polytechnic students constitute the framework upon which the Nigerian engineer is to be anchored.