By Jude Michael
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has urged Nigerian graduates to brace up to technological advancement and ensure that Nigeria does not lag in the area.
The president who was represented by the minister of education, Prof Tahir Mamman, stated this in his visitors address during the combined convocation ceremony of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.
The event was the 19th convocation of the institution which had its graduates from 2010/2011 session to 2020/2021 academic sessions included.
In the address which was read by the Director, Polytechnic Education in the ministry, Dr Ejeh Usman, Tinubu said: ‘We live in the era of Science and Technology. With technical revolution and innovations in science and technology, labour-market needs have significantly evolved.
‘Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a new global player and has thrown up new challenges. As a nation we must ensure our relevance in the global landscape and set the stage for long term progress and prosperity. We cannot afford to lag behind in the global technological development.
‘I therefore call on you as graduates in technical and technological field to rise up to the challenge. The government is not relenting in developing the science and technology base of the nation. As a government, we are aware of the role and impact of quality education with respect to science and technological development.
‘It can never be overstated that education is the key to this. This informed government’s unwavering commitment to the educational growth of our nation. Government has made giant strides in the funding of education and will continue to do so.’
Earlier, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Francisca Nwafulugo, enumerated some of the challenges of the institution, stating that under her watch in the past five years, the institution had made giant strides, both in infrastructure and quality education.
The institution during the event awarded fellowships to three distinguished personalities. They included the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah; the proprietor of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Mr Innocent Chukwuma and a businessman, Mr Chidozie Nwankwo.
