FG APPROVES #2BN FOR ESTABLISHMENT FED POLYTECHNIC IN OHODO
Reporter : AMAKA UCHENNADIUKWU
The Federal Government has approved a take off cash grant of two billion naira for the construction of a Federal Polytechnic in Ohodo, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, revealed this during the inspection of the proposed site for the institution.
During the visit, technical teams from Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE were taken round both the temporary and permanent sites of the polytechnic.
Ohodo is an agrerian ancient community with two autonomous communities and three distinct quarters, namely: Akwutara, Akaibite and Ejuona.
It is also made up of forty three villages that have a general traditional market on every Orie day.
The Minister of Education represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Sunny Ochono, noted that a polytechnic is an engine room for imparting skills and knowledge with proficiency in various educational fields.
The Minister announced that president Muhammadu Buhari had also decided to site a Federal Science Technical College (FSTC) in EKe, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
“Enugu is one of the three states that are enjoying two institutions at the same time throughout the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“There will be a temporary site where this institution can commence accademic activities by October this year.
“All these are enormous efforts by the Buhari led administration to empower Nigerian youths for a better tomorrow,” the Minister stated.
In a speech, the Governor of Enugu State, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Simon Ortuanya, described the developement as historic.
The Governor maintained that people of the area were peace loving to the core.
“We are seeing great light in Igbo-Etiti because of his determination to do what has not been done since the time of Nnamdi Azikiwe, who put University of Nigeria in Enugu State because federal polytechnic Ohodo is now a reality”
The Chairman, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area and first female council Chairman in the state, Mrs. Nkechi Ugwuoju, in an interview emphasised that the eatablishment of a federal polytechnic would affect positively all aspects of life in Igbo-Etiti and Ohodo in particular.
“It will creat massive employment opprtunity for teaming youths in Ohodo, Igbo Etiti and Enugi State in general.
“It will promote bussiness activities and social amenities in Igbo-Etiti,” the Council Chairman stated.
In an address, the President General Ohodo Autonomous Community, Mr. Alphonsus Ugwuafia, said that about one hundred hecters of community land had been made available for the permanent site of the institition.
Mr. Ugwuafia said the community had put everything in place to ensure absolute security and avoid vandalism of the federal govt property.
“With all sincerity, all the properties belonging to the federal Ohodo will be protected maximally, its a quality, of course its an undertaken.
We will make our words our bond,” she said.
Some members of the community, including Mr. Theadeus Ezeora, Chief Onyeanwanachukwu Nwiyi and Elder Leonard Abonyi coud not hide their excitement at the developement.
Mr. Ezeora, who is the cordinator, Igbo-Etiti Presidents General, described the institution as a school that would train people to be self reliant to have practical jobs in life.
The President General Ukopi Autonomous Community and image maker of all the Presidents General in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state, Elder Leonard Abonyi attributed the success of the event to the will of God Almighty.
Elder Abonyi called on the people of the area to remain thankful to God.
“God touched President Muhammadu Buhari to site this polytechnic here because Igbo Etiti is the man power base of the state.”
Furthermore, the president General of Amugwike Autonomous Community in Ukehe, Chief Onyeanwanachukwu Nwiyi, applauded the sate government, noting that the site of the polytechnic is where other communities can access easily.
Cultural grpups from Aku, Ukehe and Ohodo entertained the guests among whom were over thirty professors from the area, some past and present government officials.