*OUR ACHIEVEMENTS IN HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT UNPRECEDENTED IN THE HISTORY OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NEKEDE, SAYS RECTOR*

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Engr. Dr. M.C. Arimanwa FNSE JP, says that his administration has recorded an unprecedented feat in human capital development in the history of the polytechnic.

The smart Rector made this remarkable revelation when the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NTA Chapel, paid him a courtesy visit in his office last Friday.

Fielding questions from the visiting journalists, the Rector stated that his administration had carried out the largest single staff recruitment in the history of the polytechnic which helped to bolster the staff strength of the institution. It was by the strength of the feat, according to the Rector, that the polytechnic was able to establish two more school and increase its programmes.

Furthermore, Rector Arimanwa revealed that in the last three years, his administration had sent more staff abroad for Masters and PhD programmes than the institution had done in ten years.

In the area of research, the award-winning Rector stated that the polytechnic under his watch has made numerous achievements to justify its calling as a technology-based institution.

According to him, the polytechnic has developed an electric vehicle and has enormous capacity of mass-producing it, once funds are available.

Other inventions besides the automated hand-washing machines produced at the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak include a spy-jet, fast furnace (that melts steel in 15 minutes) and farm equipment such as coconut dehusking machine, palm fruit processing machine and cassava processing machine, among others.

The Rector also revealed that the electric car produced by the polytechnic had made a tour of the country in so many technology exhibitions and world soon be taken to Canada for an exhibition, adding that the institution has capacity to improve on the quality of the vehicle and make mass production for mass transit when adequately supported.

The poly chief also disclosed that the institution would soon establish a skill acquisition centre to train people who lack requisite qualifications in different areas of artisanry. The Rector also stated that his institution already has MoU with OSHA-UK to train people in Occupational Safety and Health after which they get certificated without any formal qualifications.

On the issue of curriculum development and review, Rector Arimanwa told his visitors that the Federal Polytechnic Nekede is on the vanguard of the unbundling of the Mass Communication Department into six disparate programmes, revealing that the institution has already secured approval to unbundle the Mass Communication Department.

Similarly, he posited that the institution is championing the unbundling of the Computer Department into more specific and goal-oriented programmes to meet the growing realities of the 21st century Nigeria.The Rector equally disclosed measures taken to check acts of infractions by members of staff.

According to the poly supremo, “We have a thriving mechanism for checking lecturers who exploit students in any guise. We also have a Quality Assurance Unit which ensures that workers fulfill their mandate. There are also SERVICOM, FEPNOWA, WITEC, Dean, Student Affairs and relevant directors who are empowered to receive reports from students so that the Management can promptly act on them.”

The Rector also stated in unequivocal terms that the polytechnic does not relent in taking action against any staff found culpable of any infraction.

*FEDPONEK GAZETTE* SEPTEMBER 12, 2022.