Acquire skills for self-reliance, Rector tells Students

In view of biting economic recession and high unemployment, a call has gone to students to acquire necessary skills, knowledge and attitude that would enable them contribute their quota in all spheres of life Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Dr (Mrs) Celestina Njoku made the call while addressing the 40th matriculation ceremony of the institution.
Dr. Njoku urged parents to encourage their children to take up any of the skills taught in the entrepreneurship directorate which is compulsory, so that each student could acquire a specific skill different from the course of study, to make him or her become self-reliant instead of waiting to be employed upon completion of study.
She disclosed that 45 programmes were being offered in five schools in the polytechnic which has produced highly skilled and respected men and women, who are locally and internationally recognized, adding that the Alumni Association of the institution is a wonderful group, whose members’ names would be written in the polytechnic’s hall of fame, when completed this academic session.
Towards morality and social values, the Rector warned that rules and regulations must be implicitly obeyed since the students must be adjudged worthy in character and clearing to be given certificates by the polytechnic.
She cautioned them against indecent dressing, unnecessary travels, indecent phone calls, cultism, rape, robbery, kidnapping, examination malpractice, making unguarded statements and friendship with questionable characters.
Dr. Njoku also implored them to be satisfied with whatever their parents gave them, use their phones as educational materials, keep the campus clean and avoid anything that could cause a breach of the peace, demonstration and destruction of lives and property as well as attend lectures and complete assignments, tests and examinations.
The Rector commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET Found), Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF), Niger Delter Development Commission (NDDC), a few banks, ABC Transport, Alumni Association, and the Estate Management Graduates Association (EMGA) for their assistance in the area of infrastructural development of the polytechnic.
She also saluted Everyday Supermarket, Priceless Stores, Shoprite, the Imo Airport Authority, Pizons Eye Associates, Sharah Vision Eye Clinic and others for employing and engaging the students on industrial training.
Speaking on behalf of all the matriculants, Mr. Sullivan Amadi of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology expressed happiness for being one of those admitted into the institution, and commended the Rector for advising them and pleaded that they be aided to adjust quickly in their new environment.
The highlight of the event was the award of scholarship to four matriculants including Mr. Sullivan Amadi, by the polytechnic and the rector, Dr. Njoku.