IKOT EKPENE
The Akwa Ibom government has commissioned a Multi-Purpose Skills Development Center comprising woodcraft and cabinet workshop, Library Complex and an Ultra Modern Shopping Mall at the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic(AKWAPOLY), Ikot Osurua in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
Inaugurating each of the projects, the Akwa Ibom governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, who spoke through the commissioner for education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, commended the rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Moses Umobong, for his effective leadership which he said has stepped up the pace of development in the institution, while also lauding the management team for supporting the rector to achieve great strides.
Emmanuel charged the students to make good use of the facilities, study very hard, and abhor all forms of social vices capable of hampering them from graduation.
He also advised the students on the importance of entrepreneurial skills for economic self reliance in today’s world, saying that “no matter your course of study, you should find time to register and learn some skills at the centre. By so doing, you would have gotten both formal and informal education that would enable you to be self-employed as well as employer of labour.”
Speaking in her capacity as the commissioner for education, Mrs Etiebet applauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for his good works, saying that the education sector of the state has recorded tremendous growth both in policy direction and infrastructure across board owing to his resolve to change the narrative.
She added that through Governor Emmanuel’s instrumentality, accredited courses in Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic have been upgraded from 19 in 2015 to 35 at present as well as the school ranking top 18 in the country from 99 in 2015, and prayed for more accomplishments.
The rector of AKWAPOLY, Dr. Moses Umobong, thanked Governor Emmanuel for his untiring support to the institution which, according to him, has metamorphosed to landmark strides witnessed in the state polytechnic in recent time.
He particularly appreciated the governor for graciously approving the construction of skills acquisition centre, which has made the school to join the league of institutions that have embraced skills development.
Throwing light on the facility, the rector stated that the woodcrafts factory alongside an ultra modern showroom with state-of-the-art equipment would produce items like assorted tables, chairs, tailoring desks, aluminum windows and doors, armoured doors and several allied products to boost supply ofthe products in the local and international markets.
He said the library complex initiated by his predecessor and completed under his watch is second to none in the state and thanked TETFUND for sponsoring the project, while calling on staff and students to take advantage of the facility to improve on their academic capacities.
On the ultra modern shopping mall that has 70 shops, the rector stated that it will automatically relocate business operators from the mammy market to the mall, thus allowing the landscape of the institution to admit aesthetics.
In his goodwill message, the chairman, Governing Council of the Polytechnic, Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim, expressed delight for the infrastructural renaissance taking place in the institution.
Ntekim, who was represented by the permanent secretary, Ministry of Education, Lady Rose Bassey, herself a member of the Governing Board, congratulated the rector and his team, staff and students of the Polytechnic, adding that he looks forward to seeing AkwaPoly becoming a centre for the production of quality furniture in the state, while calling for sustainability of the projects.
The occasion was graced by the deputy rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Okon Osung; the librarian, Dr. Mercy Ukpanah, members of the Governing Council, directors in the Ministry of Education, Staff and students of the polytechnic.
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