ASUP calls for review of law establishing polytechnics in Nigeria

Published

1 year ago

October 6, 2023

The National Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Anderson Ezeibe, has called for a review of the law establishing polytechnic education in Nigeria to meet the emerging realities of the nation’s technological development.

Ezeibe, who made the call on Thursday at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, while delivering a keynote address of the union’s three-day international conference noted that some policies of the Federal Government are demarketing polytechnic education in Nigeria.

Speaking on the theme “Redefining The Mandate Of Polytechnic Education For Economic Diversification And Sustainability”, Ezeibe disclosed that the government has tactically killed technological education in Nigeria through unfavourable policies.

He listed some of the Federal Government policies working against polytechnic education, including the HND/BSc dichotomy, the inability to enhance academic continuity for HND graduates, and the disparity between HND/BSc holders in government circles, among others.

The National Chairman of ASUP lamented a situation where welders were hired from India for the Dangote Refinery project at the expense of polytechnic graduates, adding that such attitude encouraged capital flight while homegrown polytechnic manpower walloped in unemployment.

He regretted that the mandate of polytechnic education has failed over the years as the government has not integrated them into national planning, especially in the technological development drive.

“Negligence of polytechnics mandate has resulted in a high level of unemployment, poverty and poor entrepreneurship.

“Polytechnic education is not encouraged. In some polytechnics, the student population is less than 1,000, while some state governors change their polytechnics to universities instead of developing them.

“Government is demarketing polytechnic education through their policies. The law that established polytechnic education must be reviewed to meet emerging realities in our nation’s technological development,” he said.

Ezeibe, a lead lecturer at the three-day conference, urged the Federal Government to integrate polytechnic education to lift quality of life in the sustainable development goals.

“Government should migrate away from monolithic economic model through diversification and promote skills education to meet skill need of the nation,” he said.

He charged all stakeholders in education to work in synergy to mainstream polytechnic education into the nation’s development plan.

News

Moms demand justice for kids held after Venezuela vote

Published

12 hours ago

October 14, 2024

Tunde-Olubo Bukunmi

Fifteen-year-old Aliangel Jose Rodriguez was driven by curiosity to join a protest after Venezuela’s disputed presidential election in late July, his mother recalled.

What seemed like a simple outing turned into something much more serious. Rodriguez ended up arrested, one of many minors caught in the country’s ongoing political turmoil, according to his family and human rights advocates.

“A boy who is always studying… cannot be labelled a terrorist,” his mother Maria Tovar said tearfully from their humble home in Carabobo, a region roughly 110 miles west of the capital, Caracas.

Data from Foro Penal, a Venezuelan human rights organization, reveals that Carabobo has the highest concentration of so-called “political prisoners,” with 297 out of 1,916 cases recorded nationwide. Of these detainees, 70 are between the ages of 14 and 17.

Since July 29, just a day after the election, Venezuelan authorities have arrested 1,784 people, many facing charges such as “terrorism” or “incitement to hatred,” which carry prison terms ranging from 10 to 30 years, Foro Penal reports.

“Even the most hardened criminals wouldn’t get a 10-year sentence for something they didn’t do, simply for stepping onto a highway to watch some lights,” Tovar said, her voice breaking, her well-worn Bibles lying nearby.

During one of her visits to the detention center, Rodriguez confided in her that he had attempted to take his own life just three days prior, overwhelmed by the sight of another young detainee being sentenced to 10 years in prison.

“I only ask the president to have compassion, and to reconsider the cases of all the children,” Tovar pleaded, addressing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. “It’s not just my son. There are 14 minors.”

Foro Penal confirms that at least 80 teenagers arrested during the protests have since been released, including four from Carabobo.

“None of these children are politically involved, they don’t vote,” said Dennys Benitez, whose 17-year-old son, Luis David Lopez, remains imprisoned. “Sadly, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time and were arbitrarily imprisoned.”

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Sports

Super Eagles Return to Nigeria After Harrowing Libya Experience

Published

12 hours ago

October 14, 2024

Tunde-Olubo Bukunmi

Super Eagles have returned to Nigeria, touching down at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State, after enduring a challenging ordeal in Libya before their upcoming 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

Team captain William Troost-Ekong took to X to share the news, writing, “BACK HOME 🇳🇬 SAFE & SOUND.

“Proud of this team, NAIJA SPIRIT can’t be broken. Throw at us what you want, it’s in our blood to overcome. I’ve seen a lot in my 10 years with this group, but nothing like this, an experience that has brought us even closer TOGETHER.”

Victor Boniface, a forward for the team, also posted on X, saying, “Back to Nigeria 🇳🇬❤️❤️ Next of kin you try out.”

The Super Eagles had departed Nigeria on Sunday, but their trip took an unexpected turn when their flight was diverted to a remote airport in Libya, far from their intended destination.

This forced the team into a grueling three-hour road journey to reach their final stop.

Matters worsened when the players, pilots, and staff were left stranded at the Libyan airport for more than 13 hours without access to basic essentials such as food, water, or a place to rest.

Images of the players attempting to sleep on chairs circulated on social media, with Troost-Ekong and other players sharing their plight, leading to public outrage from Nigerian officials.

Thankfully, the team has now safely arrived in Kano, following clearance for their flight to depart Libya.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has since initiated an investigation into the treatment of the Super Eagles at Al Abaq Airport, with its Disciplinary Board looking into violations of the federation’s rules.

The situation also drew condemnation from several prominent figures, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, NiDCOM Chair Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor-Kalu.

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