Maduako Igbokwe I Thursday, May 18, 2023
ANAMBRA – President Muhammed Buhari on Thursday inaugurated six Tertiary Education Found (Tetfund) projects worth N697, 924,427.23 at Federal Oko poly, Anambra state.
The projects are, Construction of Multipurpose Hall, Under the 2011/2014 (merged) Annual intervention. Construction of ICT Main Building, Under 2011/2014 (merged) Annual intervention. Construction of School of Renewable Energy Building, Under 2011/2014 (merged) Annual intervention.
Construction of Agricultural Technology Engineering Building. Under 2011/2014 (merged) Annual intervention. Construction of Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Under 2016/2019 (merged) Annual intervention.
President Muhammed Buhari represented by the Minister of State for Education Hon.Goodluck Nanah Opiah said the recent upward review of Education Tax from 2 to 2.5 percent has immensely contributed to the success stories of many tertiary institutions.
According to him, the fund has assisted many benefiting institutions to continued to do great things.
“You will agree with me that this support for the intervention activities of TETFund, including the recent upward review of Education Tax from 2 to 2.5 percent has in no small measure contributed to the success stories the Fund and its beneficiary institutions have continued to record” he said
He also commended the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono and his team for their efforts in effectively discharging the mandate of the fund for the continuous development of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
He also stated that education plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of nations, and therefore, the commissioning of these projects at the Polytechnic would enhance teaching and learning and improvement of academic standards.
“I wish to reiterate that education forms an integral part of my administration’s agenda, hence the Federal Government would continue to provide necessary support towards making our educational institutions globally competitive for economic and technological development of the country.
“It is on record that through the support of the Federal Government, TETFund has performed exceptionally in the provision of physical infrastructure, support for academic staff training and development, book publication, ICT, Research and Development amongst others in public tertiary educational institutions across the country.
“I am delighted to note that the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State and other public tertiary educational institutions in Anambra State namely: Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, University, Uli; Anambra Polytechnic, Mgbakwu; Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe; and Federal College of Education(Technical), Umunze have not been exempted from these intervention efforts of TETFund.
He also disclosed that the Fund has sponsored 101 lecturers from Polytechnic for Ph.D degrees in both foreign and local institutions totaling N487,527,656.10; 60 for Masters Degrees in both foreign and local institutions totaling N293,102,460.00; while 90 staff have been sponsored to attend Conferences Attendance in both foreign and local totaling-N111,471,159.50.
He also congratulated the Rector, Engr. Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo, the management staff and students of this great polytechnic for their wonderful developmental strides at the institution.
Rector of the institution, Engr. Dr. Franscisca Nwafulugo appreciated the President for his unwavering support to the development of the education sector, and particularly in this case, TETFund.
She also commended the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for the massive support of the institution to the Polytechnic.
“The institution has become almost 100% accreditation compliant, adding that the school has mounted new programs like chemical engineering and viticulture which has been approved by NBTE.
Nwafulugo however raised the alarm over rampaging gully erosion that poses serious threats to lives and infrastructure in the campus. She said the 1.23km road built in the institution three years ago had already been washed away by the erosion, calling for federal government’s quick intervention.
