The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Dr Mukail Akinde, on Friday, said that improved funding of the polytechnic education will help bolster the country’s desire for technological development and reduce heavy importation.
Akinde has equally demanded the revitalisation of Ajaokuta Steel, saying that the resuscitation of the company is central to developing the manufacturing sector in the country.
The Rector made this call while speaking during the second anniversary of his appointment as well as the presentation of the recently fabricated solar-powered tricycle to the public.
Akinde said that the country has remained import-dependent because it has refused to invest heavily in polytechnic education which is principally set up to produce manpower for technical development.
He said that the tricycle produced by the polytechnic among other innovations is proof that with proper funding polytechnic education can help revolutionise the technological advancements of the country.
“The government must place a high premium on polytechnic education, the funding must be seriously looked into. How come are we still importing a lot of things in this country? It is simply because we have decided not to fund the polytechnic education.
“A lot of things we are still importing can be manufactured locally in the country. For this country to move forward we must focus attention on funding our polytechnic. We must have a working foundry. Foundry is where we cut iron to precision. For instance, the motor we use for our tricycles was designed here but there was no equipment to cut it to precision, so we had to send the design abroad and it was cut there and sent to us.
“This is why we are saying that Ajaokuta Steel must work. It is central to our technical development. If China can convert most of their universities to polytechnics, do you want to say they don’t know what they are doing?
“Polytechnic education is the way to go because we are talking about education that is tailored to apply knowledge.
Countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and China have since left us behind”, Akinde said.
The Rector added that the new tricycle which can be charged electronically and through solar is an improvement on the one unveiled about two months ago adding that while the first model can only carry one person, this latest model can carry four people conveniently.
Akinde listed other achievements during his two years in office including the addition of 25 new courses, the commencement of the School of Agriculture, and improved welfare packages for the staff among other technological advancements and infrastructural development.
Speaking at the occasion, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Engr Felix Olu, represented by Dr Abolaji Ilori, Chairman of the Ogun State branch of the association lauded the polytechnic for its commitment to championing homegrown technological advancements.
Engr Olu called on the institution to reach out for collaboration that could provide a platform for the commercial production of their series of innovations, particularly the tricycle.
The immediate past Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Segun Aluko, lauded Akinde for his excellent leadership urging him to continue to build on the solid foundation of academic research and innovation laid by the founding fathers of the institution.
