Connect with us

News

Soludo Receives new Governing Council Members of Federal Poly, Oko, Harps on Revamping Higher Institutions in Nigeria

Published

on

**By Christian ABURIME

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, today, Friday, 19th July, 2024, received the new Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Oko.

The Council members led by its Chairman, Senator Barnabas Gemade were received at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.

Senator Gemade who was the former National Chairman of People’s Democratic Party, described Governor Soludo as the most famous former Central Bank Governor in the history of the nation.

He explained that their visit was to officially inform him that they had assumed duty in the institution as members of the governing councils members”As Governor of the CBN, you brought tremendous innovation and we have seen that in your style of governance.

“Part of our work in the institution is to ensure that we collaborate with your government.

“This council will ensure that the institution is close to your government in programmes of technological development.

I am delighted to be here eith my members”; he concluded.Responding, Governor Soludo congratulated them on their well-deserved appointment, illustrating his emotional attachment to the institution.

“I knew it when it was Oko arts of science. It later changed to Anambra State and finally, Federal Polytechnic, Oko.

“It has grown in number and size, but you have a humongous task ahead of you.

“I look at the institution with mixed feelings of hope and opportunities but also of despair.

“We know where the dream was, but whether we are heading to the position, I don’t know.

“This is not peculiar to Federal Polytechnic, Oko. Most of our institutions are turning into glorified secondary school.

“We need to start asking the pivotal question of what our various individual institutions are known for.

What comes to mind when our institutions are mentioned?”Sadly, many of our institutions have gone down.

We need to go back to the fundamental ideas of our forefathers.

“I’m still looking at the glass as half full,” the governor stated.

He revealed that the new composition of the Council is an opportunity for something unique to be done in the institution, rather than being a place where people are given paper certificates without something to do when they graduate.

“In our own Polytechnic here in Mgbakwu, I have a team reviewing their status.

They will soon submit their report on whether the institution is fit for purpose.

“It is a general problem of our education, particularly tertiary education.

“I call them the “villagization” of our institutions, but I see Nigeria in terms of composition of members of the board.

“There is huge work to be done, to be able to rescue our education sector.

“I’ve seen university when it was universal, not minding where one came from but the value being added.

“Here in Anambra, we recruited 8115 teachers from 18 states of the country because the interest of the Anambra child is to be taught by the best teacher.

We are already practising what we preach.”Re-invent Federal Polytechnic, Oko.

It has been villagized to a glorified high school.

“I’ve seen how it works elsewhere and it pains me to see what is going on here.

“We have a job to rebuild because education remains the ladder of opportunities.”In terms of strategic partnership with you, there is a whole lot we can do to assist you, though yours is a Federal Institution in Anambra State.

Let’s do it together”; Governor Soludo added.Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, The Acting Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Uche Onyegbu, among others, attended the event.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Massive Gridlock: FG reopens Independence Bridge in Lagos

Published

on

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has directed the immediate reopening of the Independence Bridge in Lagos to vehicular traffic.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, had earlier stated that the closure was for planned maintenance and rehabilitation.

She expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and appealed for public understanding.

The Federal Ministry of Works has clarified that necessary repairs on the bridge would be carried out at a later date.

The new instruction to reopen the bridge is ostensibly as a result of the gridlock caused by the closure which resulted in outcry by commuters since its closure on Tuesday, April 1.

Continue Reading

News

JUST IN: President Tinubu to Embark on Working Visit to Paris

Published

on

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart for Paris, France, today on a short working visit.

This information was stated in a press release today, April 2, 2025 by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy.

Onanuga said during the President’s visit, he will appraise his administration’s mid-term performance and assess key milestones.

“He will also use the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary”.

“This period of reflection will inform plans to deepen ongoing reforms and accelerate national development priorities in the coming year”.

“Recent economic strides reinforce the President’s commitment to these efforts, as evidenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria reporting a significant increase in net foreign exchange reserves to $23.11 billion—a testament to the administration’s fiscal reforms since 2023 when net reserves were $3.99 billion”.

“While away, President Tinubu will remain fully engaged with his team and continue to oversee governance activities. He will return to Nigeria in about a fortnight, the statement reads.

Continue Reading

Business

Algiers-Abuja direct flights begin April 6

Published

on

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, announced the launch of Air Algérie’s inaugural direct flight service from Algiers to Abuja, set to begin on April 6, 2025.

This is said to strengthen the diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Algeria.

According to a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the new route, which is the result of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the two countries, will be operated by the national carrier, Air Algérie, using a Boeing 737 aircraft.

This new service is expected to boost connectivity, encourage tourism, and facilitate trade and investment between Nigeria and Algeria.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce the commencement of Air Algerie’s inaugural direct flight service from Algiers to Abuja, scheduled for 6th April 2025.

“This historic development marks a significant milestone in the growing diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and Algeria.

“It is pertinent to state that it is the implementation of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between both countries, which culminated in this successful venture,” the statement read in part.

The inaugural flight is expected to carry the Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Algiers, Nigerian community leaders, and representatives from the Algerian government.

The Federal Government has extended congratulations to Air Algérie and offered its full support to ensure the success of the new service.

With affordable fares and Algeria’s proximity to Europe, the flight also offers Nigerians a convenient gateway to Europe, enhancing Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for business, tourism, and transit.

The statement added, “The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant aviation authorities, extends its warm congratulations to Air Algerie and assures all necessary support to ensure the success and sustainability of this new service.

“We believe this initiative will further strengthen the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and Algeria, while opening new opportunities for mutual growth.

“The affordable fare structure and the proximity of Algeria to Europe would also provide Nigerians with a convenient gateway to Europe, thereby enhancing Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for business, tourism, and transit.”

The ministry encouraged citizens and businesses to take advantage of this new connectivity to explore opportunities for trade, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

Continue Reading

Trending