Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal on Friday stressed the need to accord more attention to technical education and skills’ acquisition by youths.
He also advised students of technical institutions in the country to pay more attention to vocational studies in order to become productive, as well as provide plausible solutions to the various challenges facing the nation.
Tambuwal who spoke at the convocation lecture of the Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto said, “The products of skills’ acquisition are always self-reliant, thereby reducing idleness and insecurity in the society.”
The governor represented by the state Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Bashir Garba, said ”There is no doubt that the contribution of polytechnic education in sustaining development cannot be over stated.
“This is because the present and future development will certainly demand highly qualified specialists and skilled manpower.
“The consequence of the absence of technical education in any nation is lack of development and economic growth.”
The governor also said that the convocation paper delivered by Mr Jelani Aliyu, the Director-General, National Automative Design and Development Council, was apt and appropriate.
“This is because many countries in the world have set targets for phasing out fossil fuel powered vehicles.
“So, if we don’t rise up to the challenge, we will be left with vehicles that are uneconomical.
“Thus, we cannot maintain them due to the absence of spare parts for routine maintenance,” he added.
Aliyu, in his lecture titled, “Automotive Industry as a Sustainable Tool for Technological and Economic Growth and Development in Nigeria,” encouraged the students to remain more creative.
“We can surely make it if we continue to be more creative. Therefore, as students we should keep trying, with time we will achieve our desired objectives,” he said.
Earlier, Prof. Aminu Ibrahim, the Rector of the Polytechnic, said that the institution had reached advanced stages to adopt the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ).
The rector said that it was in line with the National Board for Technical Education Board’s (NBTE) guidelines.
Ibrahim said, “The adoption will enhance the institution’s recognition of skills’ acquisition, knowledge and competence acquired by our graduates.”
He urged the students to focus more attention on mechatronics engineering programmes, while calling on the graduands to be champions in job creation.
