The award-winning Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Engr. Dr. Michael Chidiebere Arimanwa, has applauded the interventionist efforts of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund aimed at uplifting the status of education in Nigeria.
According to the poly boss, the Fund is responsible for the massive infrastructural revolution in Nigeria’s higher institutions. The Rector made this remark last Monday during a media chat with NTA’s Tijjani Yahaya in his office.
Speaking on the contribution of the Fund in the development of his institution, the Rector stated: “The Federal Polytechnic Nekede has benefitted immensely from the Federal Government’s assistance in the education sector through the efforts of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. We have benefitted in the areas of physical infrastructure, training of staff and research development, among others.”
The Rector further announced that through the TETFund intervention, his administration had been able to sponsor over seventy eight (78) lecturers for Masters and Doctoral degree programmes in universities within and outside Nigeria. He also stated that the leading role his institution had played in research advancement was owed to the commitment of TETFund.
The poly chief cited the expansive infrastructural facilities in the institution which are fully furnished to accommodate the growing number of staff and students, as further instances of the glowing deeds of TETFund. The smart Rector also noted that Federal Polytechnic Nekede has been chosen by TETFund as Centre of Excellence on ICT.
Accordingly, the poly boss announced that a new ICT infrastructure was being set up round the campus in preparation to the realities of the institution’s new status.
It will be recalled that an ambitious Smart Campus Project of the Rector, Engr. Dr. M.C. Arimanwa, brought an ICT revolution that instigated a paradigm shift in the operations of the frontline Polytechnic.
On the institution’s recent stride in automobile production, the action Rector posited: “I am happy our institution keyed into the production of cars that will enhance a greener environment.
“Since we produced the electric car, our institution has received a lot of attention from institutions and corporate bodies. So many news agencies have also visited to see the vehicle and have a word with the officials of the institution.
“In fact, only last week, our institution played host to a German news agency, whose correspondent came to see the electric vehicle. I was also appointed by the federal government into a committee on the establishment of electric vehicles in Nigeria. Indeed, it is our view that the electric vehicle is the way to go for a safer ecosystem.”
Meanwhile, the smart Rector has revealed that his bold exploits in utilizing the TETFund research grants earned him an award last December as the best head of an institution in the utilization of TETFund grant.
He equally stated that owing to his sterling records, he had in three different occasions won an award as best polytechnic Rector, among a myriad of other awards and Fellowships.
FEDPONEK GAZETTE 9 JUNE, 2022