Encourage technology, polytechnic for nations devt – OSCOTECH Chairman
By John Dike
The only way for Nigeria to develope technologically is to encourage polytechnic and Technology institutions that are capable of training students on skill acquisition programmes required for development of the nation.
To this end, students of polytechnic and Technology schools and institutions should be well funded by both the federal and state governments to enable students of such institutions realize their dreams
The Chairman, Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Hon Diran Odeyemi, stated this while fielding questions from members of the Osun NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel in Osogbo, the state capital.
He said there is no nation around the world that developed without giving priority to polytechnic and Technological institutions, adding that much attention must be given to polytechnic education in Nigeria.
Odeyemi was of the opinion that polytechnic education should be given a place pride because that is the only institution where skills are acquired for self development just as he said many students goes to university to acquire theoretical knowledge without skills .
His words “imaging a student, after graduating from a university ,acquiring a degree but later started leaning handwork from illetrate person just because he or she wants to acquire skills that can make him or her self reliant.
” The world is changing and technology is already driving the world and every nation yearning for development must embrace technology.
“So our government must look beyond degrees acquired from university but focus and encourage polytechnic education capable of turning the nation around. ”
According to him, the aims and objectives of establishing polytechnic and schools of technology is for training and skills acquisition which helps to drive economy from consumption to production.
He stated that the institution has been training students of both OND and HND on Technologies, adding that 90percent of courses run in the institution are Technological based course, just as he said efforts were on to introduce Mass Communication department.
Odeyemi who used the occasion to implore alumni association of the institution to come to the aid of some less-privileged students who are willing to read, but lacks finances to fund their education.
OSCOTECH Chairman said they should reach out by assisting in the education and training of the less privileged students as it would be counter-productive to leave the same to the government and parents alone.
Odeyemi who was the pioneer Chairman of the state NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel said, there is need to show love to others, particularly those who are less-privileged and the Lord will ensure that their pockets never run dry.
The journalist-turn politician said a child taken away from poverty often goes a long way to change the future generations, urging them to always reach out to the less privileged in the society.
The OSCOTECH Governing Council Chairman who appreciated some people who have been supporting the educations and progress of some students of the institution, appreciated the Rector of the institution, Dr S. A. O Adegoke, and other management team for demonstrating their unalloyed support to him since he assumed the office.
