By Oginyi Ruth
Akanu Ibiam Federal polytechnic, Uwanna, Afikpo in Afikpo north local government area of Ebonyi state during her 14th convocation, convocate 13, 085 graduates of the institution .
In the convocation on, Friday, Those that scored distinction were 306; Upper credit 3,896 and lower credit 8, 253 while 500 students scored pass.
The students were drawn between 2013/2014 session to 2016/2017 session respectively and the convocation ceremony was the largest since the inception of the school in 1982.
Speaking at the event, the Hon minister for Education, Mallam Adamu stated that Government is committed to strengthening the capacity of polytechnics because Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) would help to address the unemployment problem facing the country.
The visitor to the school Represented by the Director Technology and science, federal ministry of Education Mrs. Adetigba Elizabeth Olubukola, commended the institution for their contributions to the building of the country by producing hardworking students stressing that Nigerians are resourceful, dynamic and always ready to face the challenges of their environment.
“Nigerians are resourceful, Innovative Dynamic and ready to face the challenges of our environment, our existence and the times in which we have found ourselves. Our institutions must address the structural imbalances in our economy and concentrate on developing our human capital and engaging local strengths and resources to turn the economy around. As such our students should be taught to utilize the resources and opportunity in our environment to create wealth.
“I urge you not to relent in your efforts, in tailoring all programs towards the nation’s development while ensuring that quality is not in any way compromised, so, that together we can be a pride to our country”. He said.
The Rector of the school Dr. Ogbonnia Ibe-Enwo, in his address challenged the graduands to remain focused so that the vision of the founding fathers will remain forever.
Dr.Ibe-Enwo, challenged the graduands to stand in the forefront of the knowledge economy so as to contribute immensely to Nigeria’s vision 20:20:20.
” I wish to remind you that the vision of our founding fathers must be kept alive by your conduct and industry to show the outside world that the polytechnic has imparted to you the very best of moral and academic training to make the difference in your chosen endeavour”.
Dr. Ibe-Enwo decried the high cost of power supply in the institution and call for the connection of the institution to the national grid.
“The polytechnic is not connected to the national grid and this has made power supply in the polytechnic too expensive, the result is rationing of power supply to halls of residence and offices”, he lamented.
