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From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Nanah Opiah, says the Federal government is committed to ensuring the take-off of academic programmes of the newly established Federal Polytechnic, Ohodo in Igbo-Etite Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The minister gave the assurance in Nsukka yesterday while addressing the management team, staff, and some members of the host community of the institution, when he paid his first official visit to the polytechnic.
He said that the federal government would continue to play its own role by providing all necessary support to ensure that the institution kick-starts its academic programmes as soon as possible.
His words: “The federal government is fully committed to the take-off of academic activities and programmes of the Federal Polytechnic Ohodo. My ministry has been in constant contact with the management team of Ohodo Poly, and other relevant authorities to actualize this objective.
“We would continue to lend our support to ensure that academic programmes of the institution start as soon as possible.”
The minister who was conducted round the temporary and proposed permanent site of the polytechnic commended the management team of the institution and urged the members to continue to work as a team for the benefit of the polytechnic and the country.
He thanked the host community for donating the land for the establishment of the school, assuring the people that the institution’s management would always carry them along as well as protect their interests.
Earlier in his remarks, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ohodo, Prof. Edwin Onyeneje, said that the institution had proposed five programmes for take-off.
“We proposed Science Laboratory Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Enterpreneurial Studies, and General Studies Programmes for take-off.
“Each of these programmes requires several laboratories, workshops, offices and classrooms. The polytechnic is constrained to limit itself to these few programmes owing to accommodation challenges and inadequate physical infrastructure. More programmes would be added as soon as accommodation is provided for them.
“This institution is about facing National Board for Technical Education’s Resource Verification Exercise. To meet the requirements for each programme entails nothing less than 13 laboratories and workshops which must be fitted with the necessary equipment to facilitate teaching and learning in the various departments.
“This comprises items and machines for practicals and experiments. As you are aware sir, the polytechnic education is technical and vocationally oriented,” he said.
The Rector while noting that the construction of the Academic Complex, Polytechnic Library Complex, and the institution’s main gate are ongoing, appealed for the construction of internal roads, perimeter fence to improve security, electrification, provision of water boreholes, and construction of auditorium and convocation arena at the permanent site.
HRH Igwe Hycent Eze, the traditional ruler of Achara Ohodo autonomous community and Ohodo Town Union President General, Mr. Alphonsus Ugwuafia, who spoke on behalf of the host communities expressed their happiness with the minister for visiting the institution and the assurances given to the host community.
They assured that the communities would maintain their good relationship with the school management as well as ensure that they enjoy a peaceful environment.
The Secretary to Enugu State Government, Prof Simon Ortuanya, who is from the Ohodo community was among those present during the visit.
Federal Polytechnic Ohodo is one of the eight federal polytechnics newly-established by President Muhammad Buhari’s administration in 2021.
