BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
The Member representing Ankpa 1 state Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Honorable Lawal Akus has called on the state government to give more attention to Government Technical College,Ankpa and also to Technical Education in the state.
In a motion at the floor of the house presented on Thursday, the state Lawmaker underscore the importance of skill acquisition as panacea and essential to sustainable development.
He enjoined the state government to accord adequate attention to technical and vocational education, so as to equip individuals with practical experiences, relevant skills , necessary for employment, entrepreneurship and national development.
“Recognise the vital role of technical and vocational education in equipping individuals with practical, industry-relevant skills necessary for employment, entrepreneurship and national development.”
Rt Honorable Lawal Akus expressed worry on the state of infrastructure in Government Technical College, Ankpa founded in 1976, stating that the desired attention capable of promoting science and technical education, production of skilled manpower, bridge skill gaps, promote innovation and support sustainable economic development cannot overemphasized.
“Note that technical education is crucial because it equips individuals with practical skills and knowledge necessary for specific careers or industries. Hence, Government Technical College, Ankpa, established in 1976, was founded with the objective of utilising science and technical education to produce skilled manpower, bridge skills gaps, promote innovation and support sustainable economic development.”
While commending the state government on its huge investment in Education in recent times, particularly the establishment of Kogi State University, KSU, Kabba, Confluence University of Science and Technology, CUSTECH,Osara, upgrading of Model Science Secondary School at Adankolo and a host of others, and provision of scholarships to indigenes in tertiary institutions is a pointer to series of investment.
“Acknowledge the sustained commitment of the Kogi State Government over the past decade to the development of the education sector, including the establishment of state universities at Osara and Kabba, the upgrading of secondary schools such as Model Science Secondary Schools, Adankolo and host of other places, the provision of scholarships to Kogi State indigenes in tertiary institutions across the Federation, the payment of N300,000 Law School fees for indigent law graduates in various Law schools, and the payment of WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees for students in public schools.”
In his prayers,he asked the State House of Assembly, Kogi State government through relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies undertake a comprehensive rehabilitation and physical upgrade of Government Technical College, Ankpa and others across the state, which included renovations, classrooms, workshops, laboratories, hostels and auxiliary facilities upgrade to meet up the current technical and vocational education standards.
“Now, therefore, be it resolved as follows:
That this Honourable House do urge the State Government, through the Ministry of Education and other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, to undertake the comprehensive rehabilitation and physical upgrade of Government Technical College, Ankpa, and other technical colleges across the State, including the renovation of classrooms, workshops, laboratories, hostels and auxiliary facilities, to meet current technical and vocational education standards. ”
“That this Honourable House do further urge the State Government to adequately equip Government Technical College, Ankpa, and other technical colleges with modern technical tools, machines, ICT infrastructure, instructional materials and safety equipment required for effective teaching, practical training and skills acquisition in line with contemporary industry and technological demands.”
“That this Honourable House resolves to mandate the Kogi State Ministries of Education and Science, Technology and Innovation, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to: recruit, train and continuously retrain qualified technical instructors, technologists and support staff for technical colleges across the State; and
develop and implement clear policies, strategic frameworks and a phased roadmap to integrate Government Technical College, Ankpa, and other technical colleges in Kogi State into modern innovation, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition hubs in line with emerging technologies, industry partnerships and workforce development priorities.
I so move.”
The motion further stated…
“KOGI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, LOKOJA
MOTION CALLING ON THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO REVIVE AND UPGRADE GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE, ANKPA AND OTHER TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN KOGI STATE.”
The Rt. Honourable Speaker and my Distinguished Honourable Colleagues, education remains a critical driver of economic growth, productivity and innovation. Countries with higher levels of education tend to have stronger economies, higher productivity and lower levels of poverty.
Skilled and knowledgeable individuals are essential workforce for sustainable development. With this background, I urge this Honourable House to:
Acknowledge the sustained commitment of the Kogi State Government over the past decade to the development of the education sector, including the establishment of state universities at Osara and Kabba, the upgrading of secondary schools such as Model Science Secondary Schools, Adankolo and host of other places, the provision of scholarships to Kogi State indigenes in tertiary institutions across the Federation, the payment of N300,000 Law School fees for indigent law graduates in various Law schools, and the payment of WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees for students in public schools.
Recognise the vital role of technical and vocational education in equipping individuals with practical, industry-relevant skills necessary for employment, entrepreneurship and national development.
Note that technical education is crucial because it equips individuals with practical skills and knowledge necessary for specific careers or industries. Hence, Government Technical College, Ankpa, established in 1976, was founded with the objective of utilising science and technical education to produce skilled manpower, bridge skills gaps, promote innovation and support sustainable economic development.
Observe that the College historically contributed significantly to the availability of skilled artisans and technicians in areas such as electrical installations, welding and fabrication, fitting and machining, automobile mechanics, and building and construction trades within Ankpa and its environs.
Note with concern that Government Technical College, Ankpa, has in recent years suffered severe infrastructural decay, inadequate equipment, and non-functional facilities, thereby limiting its capacity to meet contemporary technical education standards and the evolving needs of society.
The Rt. Honourable Speaker and my Distinguished Honourable Colleagues, there is the need to place our dear state among the most competitive states in Nigeria in the area of skills acquisition and competence for the survival and sustainable national development. I, therefore, pray this House to kindly consider the importance of this Motion and resolve as prayed.
PRAYERS
Now, therefore, be it resolved as follows:
That this Honourable House do urge the State Government, through the Ministry of Education and other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, to undertake the comprehensive rehabilitation and physical upgrade of Government Technical College, Ankpa, and other technical colleges across the State, including the renovation of classrooms, workshops, laboratories, hostels and auxiliary facilities, to meet current technical and vocational education standards.
That this Honourable House do further urge the State Government to adequately equip Government Technical College, Ankpa, and other technical colleges with modern technical tools, machines, ICT infrastructure, instructional materials and safety equipment required for effective teaching, practical training and skills acquisition in line with contemporary industry and technological demands.
That this Honourable House resolves to mandate the Kogi State Ministries of Education and Science, Technology and Innovation, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to:
recruit, train and continuously retrain qualified technical instructors, technologists and support staff for technical colleges across the State; and
develop and implement clear policies, strategic frameworks and a phased roadmap to integrate Government Technical College, Ankpa, and other technical colleges in Kogi State into modern innovation, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition hubs in line with emerging technologies, industry partnerships and workforce development priorities.
I so move.
Hon. Lawal Akus
Member, Representing Ankpa 1 State Constituency.
