YOUTHS of Mgbakwu in Awka North local government area yesterday protested the dearth of infrastructure in the state – owned Anambra State Polytechnic in the community and non recognition of the certificates awarded by the institution.
Led by their chairman, Mr. Chinedu Mbonu and the coordinator of the National Youth Council Nigeria, NUCN, in Awka North, Comrade Augustine Onukwube, the youths, with placards, moved around the Polytechnic area and threatened to shut down the institution at the expiration of the 14 days from yesterday. They also threatened to allocate the land to themselves for better use.
Their grouse was that after acquiring several hectares of land which the people of the community were farming on to sustain themselves, the state government had not shown any seriousness in making the place look like a tertiary institution.
They were particularly worried that certificates issued to the graduates of the school were worthless, as that they were not recognized by the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, because courses offered by the institution were not accredited by the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE.
The chairman of the youths, Mbonu said: “For years we have endured the deplorable situation in the Polytechnic and it negates the purpose for which the massive land was donated to state government by the community.
“People who graduated from the Polytechnic usually seek for fresh admission elsewhere after spending years here and waiting for certificates that were never issued.
“Our youths have been restive over the matter and we have been appealing to them to exercise patience, but there is a limit to what we can. We can no longer stop them, hence the decision to embark on the peaceful protest and dialogue with the authorities of the Polytechnic to find a way forward”.
Later at a meeting with members of the governing council of the Polytechnic, the youths said there was no need for the place to continue to be regarded as a tertiary institution when it does not worth it.
However, the chairman of the governing council of the institution, Professor Ifediorah Nwana appreciated the concern of the youths, assuring them that efforts were being made to improve infrastructure in the Polytechnic.
He explained that following the efforts of the council, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, had approved the funding of some projects in the school, adding that work would begin as soon as the funds were released.
He reminded them that it usually takes time for a tertiary institution to grow and assured them that in the next five years, the Polytechnic would be among the best in the country.
Credit: Vanguard