NEKEDE CORRECTS THE MISINFORMATION REGARDING THE QR-CODES ON RESULTS AND ALLIED ISSUES


It has become expedient to correct the wave of misinformation on QR-Codes on certificates and matters relating to textbooks and O/Level verification. There seems to be a calculated attempt to defame the Management of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede. This is even while the Management evidently works hard to make the institution maintain its leading position in the country.

The introduction of the Quick Response (QR) codes on certificates and other sensitive documents such as Statement of Result and transcripts is a commendable idea mooted by the Rector in line with his Smart Campus Project to check incidences of fake results. This was after the sad event of 2021 when NYSC sent the Polytechnic the results of four fake students who claimed they were students of the institution.

It is commendable that the Federal Polytechnic Nekede had commenced the process of having the QR-codes on the results before an official memo by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) directing all Polytechnics to embrace the technology. It is only natural that the process would come with an additional cost implication. The Management in its wisdom pegged the price of collecting the Statement of Results and Certificates which carry the technology at N5000 and 10000, respectively. It is important to posit that the QR-Code makes a student’s results valuable anywhere in the world.

In clear terms, the credibility or otherwise of a result is easily discovered with the technology. And the Federal Polytechnic Nekede is already blazing a trail in this direction. Now, instead of commending Management for this noble step, some people go to the social media to make misguided remarks against the institution. It is even more unfortunate that some students are allegedly rejecting the new technology of checking fraudulent results, obviously out of ignorance.

On the issue of textbooks, the Management has set the pace in moderation by making the price pf textbooks affordable. It is on record that the Federal Polytechnic Nekede has the lowest price regime in textbooks across higher institutions in Nigeria where there is virtually no price ceiling.

It is on record that the maximum price of textbooks in the institution is N2500 while the minimum is N800. It is commendable that the Rector declared that textbooks are not compulsory; what more, students are at liberty to report any lecturer who sells textbooks above approved prices. Instructively, four phone numbers were released to students to make their complaints. It therefore beggars belief that any student is complaining of extortion in this regard.

Regarding the O/Level verification, it is important to note that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) recently increased their verification fee by 100 percent, where the owner of a certificate is expected to pay for its verification. The said verification is paid at the point of entry into ND I and HND I. Instead of agitating, students have a choice of changing to other institutions where they admit students without verification or where the institution bears the cost of verifying students’ results.

Having gone this far, it is unfortunate that some students are still being misguided in believing that Nigerian students in Federal Polytechnic Nekede are extorted. We have taken note of the purveyors of the defamatory remarks on the social media against the Polytechnic Management.

Their aim is to discredit the institution to achieve sinister motives. It has become necessary to tell these merchants of fake news to steer clear of the institution as law enforcement agencies have been directed to do the needful. The Rector remains undaunted in the task of taking the Polytechnic to the greatest height possible.

Under the leadership of Engr. Dr. M.C. Arimanwa FNSE, JP, the Federal Polytechnic Nekede has maintained an enviable position as the number one polytechnic and the most-sought-after polytechnic in Nigeria. The number of schools and programme has increased, thereby giving students latitude to make informed choices in career prospects. The institution has not lost accreditation under the Rector.

Students now pay only N50 per drop while using the newly launched campus shuttle buses. There is a massive deployment of digital infrastructure and technology to make Nigerian students better in their studies. Ultimately, the Rector is deliberate and capable enough to keep the institution’s flag flying high.

Let it be noted by the public that the Rector and his team of Management are guided by reason what they do. Thus, whatever decision they take is justifiable and in the interest Nigerian students.

U.O. Iwuji, PhD
SA (Media) to the Rector 25/10/2022