The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Mohammad Idris, has urged the management of federal polytechnics in the country to uphold the values of integrity and shun all acts of illegalities, including over-enrollment of students.
Idris, represented by the Zonal Director, South-South Zonal office of the board, Cyril Mbong, gave the charge on Saturday at the maiden matriculation of the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun in the Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
While urging the institution’s management to create an enabling environment that would encourage students to exhibit their latent gifts, the NBTE Executive Secretary described the matriculation as “a great milestone in the history of the institution.”
No fewer than 150 students were matriculated to NBTE-approved National Diploma programmes in the Departments of Business Administration and Management, Statistics, and Accounting.
Speaking earlier, the Rector of FEPO, Dr. Duke Okoro, while admitting the matriculation oaths on the 150 pioneer students, advised them to “embrace the values of integrity, perseverance and innovation in the course of their academic pursuits in the polytechnic.”
He urged them to take full advantage of the practical and industry-based skills which the lecturers would impart to them.
The rector said, “Let this institution not just be a place of learning, but a platform for growth, exploration and self-discovery.
but also cultivate skills, nurture talents and foster lifelong friendships.
“Education encompasses a holistic approach that extends beyond textbooks and lectures. I, therefore, encourage you to actively engage in extracurricular activities.”
The rector also advised the students to “participate in community service initiatives, and seize every opportunity to broaden” their horizons.
Okoro noted that the institution had zero tolerance for examination malpractice and other academic misconducts, and urged the students to uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical behaviour.
He also reminded them that the society was transitioning to a knowledge-based economy rather than a certificate-based economy which does not give room for indolence, while using the opportunity to express gratitude of the management to the Visitor of the institution, President Bola Tinubu, for his “unwavering love for education and steadfast support instrumental in the smooth takeoff of our polytechnic.”
Also, he expressed appreciation to former President Muhammadu Buhari “who granted the approval for the establishment of the Polytechnic in 2022,” as well as the former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, “whose tireless efforts in initiating the Bill for the establishment of our polytechnic at the National Assembly have turned a dream into today’s reality.”
