By Nna Anulumadu
The National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, has visited Archbishop Heerey Technical College, Ogidi, and conducted its first accreditation exercise.
After inspecting the facilities on ground, the board commended the college for excelling in technical education based on the available equipment.
The management of Archbishop Heerey Technical College, Ogidi, described the accreditation exercise as a major milestone in the institution’s history.
Speaking during an interview, the school manager, Rev. Fr. Peter Nwadimkpa, said the accreditation was the first ever conducted in the school since it was founded in 1967.
According to him, accreditation gives technical colleges, universities, and polytechnics the official authority to award certificates that are recognized by government and accepted worldwide.
He explained that the first set of students arrived at the school in January 1967, and that the recent exercise marked the institution’s first accreditation in 58 years.
“That is why the exercise is so unique,” he said.
The cleric noted that accreditation is conducted by the NBTE and is a necessary requirement for technical colleges. He added that the exercise was not easy, as a lot of work went into it, but expressed gratitude that the school completed the process successfully.
He said the accreditation will enable students to receive certificates in various areas of technical education.
Speaking on the programmes offered by the college, he listed departments such as Electronics, Building – also known as Bricklaying and Concreting, Automobile, ICT and Computer, Phone Repairs, and Arts.
He explained that the Arts Department includes areas such as creative arts, painting, and decoration.
The school, he said, is also developing new departments, including Furniture and Solar, which will be incorporated into the Electrical Department.
He further disclosed that the institution recently introduced a programme on Artificial Intelligence.
The manager also revealed that the school is partnering with Wikipedia and recently launched a programme that enabled students to create stories in Igbo for upload to the platform.
According to him, the institution is now a recognized partner of Wikipedia International.
He also spoke about the school’s media training initiative known as the Heerey Media Crew, which is designed to train students in photography, videography, content creation, and other media-related skills. He noted that a screening exercise had been conducted to select students for the programme.
On the outcome of the exercise, he described it as successful.
“I would say it was a success,” he said.
He explained that although the school is still awaiting the official certificate from NBTE, the team that came from Abuja commended the institution and provided the results of its assessment. The school is now awaiting the final certificate of accreditation.
The former Director of the Anambra State Post Primary School Service Commission in charge of technical colleges, Mr. Patrick Okeke, commended stakeholders for their roles in the accreditation exercise.
Speaking during an interview, he said the school was approved by the Anambra State Government in 2017 as a technical college and operates as a public mission school under the Archdiocese of Onitsha.
He commended the principal of the school, the Archdiocese of Onitsha, the old boys’ association, the traditional ruler of Ogidi, and the president-general for their support during the exercise.
According to him, representatives of the old boys’ association, the Igwe of Ogidi, HRH Alex Onyido, Ezeachumagha, and the town union were all involved in the process.
“They were partners in progress,” he said.
The retired director explained that accreditation is usually funded by the Anambra State Government. However, through the efforts of the principal, stakeholders including the Archdiocese of Onitsha were mobilized to support the visit.
He said the NBTE team inspected facilities, teacher requirements, and the overall administration of the school. At the end of the exercise, members of the team expressed satisfaction and informed the principal that the outcome would be communicated in due course.
“Looking at their faces on that day, it was a win-win situation for both the accreditation team and the school in its entirety,” he said.
Okeke appealed to the Anambra State Government to give more attention to technical colleges in the state. He noted that there are 15 technical colleges in Anambra, but only Archbishop Heerey Technical College, Ogidi; Oragram Technical College, Oraukwu; and Comprehensive Science and Technology College, Nawfia, were covered in the last NBTE accreditation exercise.
He said the accreditation exercises in those schools were funded by the respective Catholic and Anglican missions. Under normal circumstances, he added, the visits should be funded by the state government, but the missions undertook the responsibility without waiting for government support.
He stated that most of the remaining technical colleges have not had recent accreditation visits. About seven schools accredited during the Obiano administration had their accreditation expire in 2023, while some schools in Ihiala, Ichi, Utuh, Enugwu-Agidi, and Ossomala have not had accreditation visits since they were established in 2003.
He appealed to the state government to extend its Solution Agenda to technical colleges to ensure they benefit from ongoing educational development in the state.
Responding to a question on validity, he said accreditation lasts for five years, after which another exercise is required.
In her contribution, Lady Achukwu said students of Archbishop Heerey Technical College, Ogidi, have acquired skills in Wikipedia editing and translation following training organized by Igbo Izza Group Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview, Achukwu said the programme held on June 18, 2026, at the college, where students were taught how to create accounts on Wikipedia and edit articles.
She explained that Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia that allows people to contribute and edit content in different languages. According to her, the students have gained translation skills and can now translate content from English to Igbo.
“When next we come, we are going to train them on Wikimedia Commons,” she said.
She explained that Wikimedia Commons will enable students to contribute pictures of their work and other activities. The students will also write and create articles on the history of their school.
“They have to tell their story because if they don’t do it, nobody will do it for them, as they are the primary source of information,” she said.
Achukwu added that the aim is to make information about Archbishop Heerey Technical College available to the world.
Speaking on her observations, she said the institution has been making progress. The school recently started an AI Story Lab Club where students learn image and video prompt engineering.
According to her, the students can generate AI videos and AI images and use digital platforms to tell their stories. She disclosed that AI Story Lab students were among the first five winners in a recently concluded incubation programme held in the school.
On the benefits of the training, Achukwu said students gain hands-on experience, which bridges the gap between theory and practical learning. She added that the knowledge gained will help them compete globally and become global students and global citizens.
