Members of the Committee of Chairmen of the Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics in the country have paid a valedictory visit to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, to render the scorecards of their councils.
Ben Bem Goong, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations Unit of the ministry, in a statement, said the committee members, led by Mohammed Abubakar, the Chairman, gave the accounts of their stewardships in preparedness of the expiration of the 4-year tenure of their various councils, which end in May 2020.
Abubakar said that the various chairmen since assumption of office have paid serious attention to developments in their respective polytechnics and expressed the Councils’ excitement at the opportunity to contribute to industrial harmony by participating in various negotiations, which has led to the resolution of disputes in these institutions.
He explained that the Councils have also spearheaded efforts to convert the polytechnics’ Consultancy Units to limited liability companies rather than wait on the industrial sector to commercialise their researches, so as to improve the revenue generating capacity of their institutions.
The Committee Chairman also said that through the efforts of the Committee, funding of Federal Polytechnics has improved, leading to better standard of living of staff and students.
Abubakar added that in agreement with the policies of the present administration, the Committee has always ensured that members comply with the stipulations of the National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (NEEDS) assessment policy of government.
He said the Governing Councils are working closely with the Committee of Federal Rectors to foster better understanding between Councils and management in the nation’s Federal polytechnics so as to achieve the mandate of revitalizing polytechnics in the country.
Adamu, in his remarks, expressed appreciation to members of the various Councils for contributing their quota to the development of the education sector.
He commended them for the huge strides they have made in the course of carrying out their duties, especially in the area of ensuring and maintaining industrial harmony in the polytechnics.
Adamu urged the Governing Councils to lay more emphasis on vocational training in the Federal institutions so as to make the students more self-reliant.
