AKWA IBOM: Akpabio Harps On Skill Acquisition, Peaceful Coexistence Between IMP, Host Community In Akwa-Ibom
From Imoh ESSIEN (UYO)
The rector of Ibom Metropolitan Polytechnic, (IMP) Nnamonso Akpabio, has emphasised the need for the peaceful coexistence between the institution and the host community, Atan Offot, Uyo Akwa Ibom State.
Recall the polytechnic launched two weeks entrepreneurship capacity building, skill training as well as free medical outreach for its host community.
Iniagurating the exercise at the campus hall, Akpabio said the programmes were ways to reciprocate the peaceful and supportive gesture of the host communities since the inception of the institution.
According to him, “this exercise was motivated by peace and support enjoyed in this community (Atan Offot) by the institution since it was established.
"A question came up from one of the management meetings held in this institution,”what can we give back to the community as corporate social responsibility?”
“It was resolved that a two-week entrepreneurship capacity building and skill training with free medical services be organized to reciprocate the gesture, that is the reason we are gathering here today.”
Akpabio, who harped on the importance of skill acquisition even at the global level said such was the reason Nigerian Polytechnics put it (skill acquisition) at the centre stage.
He said the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) having noted the importance of skill development added a Mandatory Skills Qualification (MSQ) as a requirement for graduation for all newly reviewed National Diploma and Higher National Diploma Curricular.
“Mandatory Skills Qualification is a new requirement for all Diploma Programmes and is a new skill requirement to be attended before graduation. This will greatly enhance employability.” Akpabio added.
He, therefore, commended the proprietor of the institution, Victor Utong for his initiative in engendering entrepreneurial development and providing health facility that does not only provide health care services for students but for the community at large.
In his response, His Highness, Eteidung David Etuk, Village Head of Afaha Offot, thanked Ibom Metropolitan Polytechnic for the kind gesture and pledged his community’s readiness to promote peaceful coexistence with the institution.
He also urged the students to maximize the opportunity saying that the skill acquisition would secure their future and make them employers of labour.
