From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said that Skills Acquisition remains the central point of his empowerment policy, promising that his administration has designed a platform to train under-graduates to become self-reliant, through the acquisition of different skills.
He said such move is proper to sustain the nation’s economy for overall National Development, reiterating that his administration is determined in prioritising skills acquisition for students, fresh graduates and other youths.
According to him, “that is why proper look at our curriculum generally is necessary, for it to be seen to be considerate in the promotion and projection of skills acquisition, so as to comply with the global best practice.”
Ganduje spoke during the Kano State Polytechnic 7th Combined Convocation Ceremony, held at Convocation ground of the Polytechnic on Saturday.
He urged students to always understand the relevance and importance of skills acquisition for self-reliance and societal development.
He further stated that the establishment of the Ultra-Modern Skills Acquisition Centre by the state, that was named after Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is part of his administration’s efforts towards the economic emancipation of the people.
“We had gap analysis study to know what our society needs in terms of moulding our people around skills-based society, when we came up with more than 20 different types of trades that we thought our people lack proper skills in. Then came the Skills Acquisition Centre,” he added.
He said that the establishment of the Centre will encourage people to acquire needed skills that will enable them become relevant to the society.
“Looking at the large size of our population, we understand that something concrete should be done, to avoid having a population that is a liability. We want our population to be an asset not a liability, anyway,” he added.
That, strategy, he said, was done to first and foremost address the issue of existing gap between what exists between population and development, in the absence of acquired skills and innovation.
He further pointed out that, “it is because of the importance we attach to this effort that is why we spent Billions of Naira in establishing the Centre. It is completed only waiting for commissioning by President Muhammadu Buhari, who personally wishes to commission the Centre.”
Ganduje commended the Polytechnic for remaining to be a peaceful academic environment for many years, since his coming to the mantle of leadership in the state.
He stated that, “let me use this great opportunity and commend the Governing Council, management, staff, both academic and non-academic, and the students for keeping the institution peaceful.”
The 7th Convocation came at a time when close to two decades or more, a single Convocation did not take place, for that reason the governor urged the Governing Council and management of the institution to make sure that they return to drawing board and make sure that Convocation ceremonies, henceforth be observed in accordance with the rules governing the Polytechnic.
“If you have any issue come to me, I will be ready to assist. You can always knock on my doors. Let Convocation comes at the appropriate time as puts by the Law establishing the Polytechnic. I will not drop the microphone without thanking the Board, management and staff for making this possible,” he encourages.
The governor reiterated his commitment and unrelenting determination over ban of street begging and assured that all Almajiri schools must be integrated into the state free and compulsory education policy, adding that Kano must have a quality population.
In his address the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Mukhtar Atiku Kurawa, appreciated the style of leadership quality of Ganduje, adding that, “Your Excellency, with your quality and exemplary leadership this Polytechnic goes to higher level, even among its sister Polytechnics across the country.
“The timely intervention of His Excellency the Governor; wherever we go cap in hand, the governor is always ready to come to our rescue. We now have regular academic calendar, courtesy His Excellency’s political will and commitment.”
Prof. Kurawa listed so many achievements they were able to record within the years of his stewardship to date in many areas like, infrastructural development, academic performance, staff welfare for both academic and non-academic ones, undisruptive academic calendar, among others.
The Rector praised the Ganduje for making it possible to have the 7th Combined Convocation during his tenure, noting that, “Your Excellency, there is no gainsaying the fact that, your special concern for education is what takes us to higher level. We are appreciative of this Sir.”
