Proffer solution to strike, Obiano tells lecturers

The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has urged members of Council of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria (COHEADS) to proffer solutions to the lingering strike actions by polytechnic lecturers.

Obiano made the plea at the 127th regular meeting at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, a communiqué signed by the union’s chairman, Dr. Kabiru Matazu, revealed.

Represented by his deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke, Governor Obiano said the industrial action had adversely discouraged serious scholarship among students and altered academic calendar.

“No country that pays scant regard to her youths has ever attained true greatness. We all have a role to play to give shape and form to the dreams of the Nigerian youth,” he said.

According to the communiqué, the council sought an end to the discrimination against graduates of polytechnics in the country, saying it is counter- productive.

The council also called on the government to address the issue once and for all, appealing to the federal government and the striking lecturers to shift grounds and end the prolonged strike.

It added that the strike has brought untold hardships to the students, parents and other stakeholders and negatively affected Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) and the national economy.

COHEADS also called on the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to review upward the existing capacity policy with a view to improving access and quality of Technical and Vocational Education Technology in the polytechnics and Colleges of Technology.

The rectors urged government to expedite action on the Needs Assessment Report by committing adequate funds to tackle decaying infrastructure in polytechnics.

The council which lamented the prevailing skills gap and youth unemployment in the country, called for immediate implementation of the National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF) to address the phenomena.

The Chairman of COHEAD, Dr. Kabir Matazu, said the meeting was aimed at addressing issues affecting the union including the ongoing strike.

Dr. Matazu urged members of COHEAD and other staff of polytechnics and Colleges of Technology to always fight as a group for the progress of polytechnics and the country as a whole.

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Prof Godwin Onu, while welcoming members of COHEAD said the association shall discuss among other things issues that affect technical and vocation education in the country.