Why FedPoly Mubi should not be reduced to a campus

Since its inception, several Rectors have been appointed; some substantive, some in acting capacity. All of them must have done what they could do within the opportunities that were available to them. The school which took-off in Yola was later moved to Mubi but still maintained a campus at its old site.  Before 2007, the […]

Since its inception, several Rectors have been appointed; some substantive, some in acting capacity. All of them must have done what they could do within the opportunities that were available to them.

The school which took-off in Yola was later moved to Mubi but still maintained a campus at its old site.  Before 2007, the structures of the polytechnic were on the verge of collapse.  There was no potable water, near absence of infrastructure and learning materials. Hostels, offices and lecture rooms were in bad state, just as the staff quarters were in bad state too.

Owing to unfavourable learning environment, the student enrolment dropped drastically. The students’ population dropped to less than 2,000 as prospective students headed elsewhere for schooling.

In the light of the decay in this higher institution of learning coupled with its dwindling fortunes, the federal government had planned to demote the  institute from its status as a full -fledged polytechnic to a campus of the Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, Yobe State.

Respite, however, came for the institute when Dr Mohammed Mustapha Barau was appointed Rector of the institution. Water supply was restored. Provision of facilities and rehabilitation of dilapidated ones was top priority.  Lack of these facilities no doubt, hindered both staff and students from performing their duties.

At this time, many teachers could not teach as they should and students could not study hard resulting in poor performance in examinations.

Between August 2007 and this year, the learning environment has been greatly enhanced—all to ensure that the institution excels. All hostels, offices and classrooms have been renovated.

A six-kilometre road network has been constructed within the polytechnic. Beds and mattresses have been purchased for the hostels. Three brand new water tankers and two official cars have also been provided.

Furniture and necessary fittings for all offices have been provided. State-of-the-art facilities for workshops and laboratories are now available including computers for offices and departments.

A new lecture hall capable of containing 500 students at a time has been constructed and many academic staff have been sent on courses, seminars and workshops both in and outside the country.  The school is provided with internet service with 2,000 computers. The ultra modern library has 200 computers.

In 2007, the school could boast of about 200 academic and non academic staff. Today, however, the number of staff stands at over 700 while the number of students has risen from less than 2,000 to 12,000.

To cater for the students’ accommodation needs, the school management rented houses inside the town for them.

Before now, courses accredited were 17. Now, the number has risen to 46 courses.  Also, six new schools have been established in the polytechnic. It is cheering to hear that the Mass Communication Department now has a standard FM Radio station which broadcasts from 6:00am-4:00pm.

It is hoped that the school would not only produce man power for the nation but equally be employers of labour, hence the establishment of SIFE, (Students in Free Enterprises).

This programme is designed to train students in: making of shoes and bags, weaving, designing of clothes, sewing and hairdressing. This is to make them self-reliant on graduation and to create jobs for others as well.

Considering all this, I strongly feel that the campaign to reduce this school to a campus of a sister school is not very appropriate.

Andrawus Tarfa is the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Adamawa Council