Yabatech alumni ask FG to review policy guiding polytechnic education
The Alumni Association of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), has called on the federal government to review all policies guiding polytechnic education, to tackle the nation’s unemployment challenge. President of the alumni, Pastor Oluwafemi Martins, disclosed this today at a national workshop themed: “Business Financing in a Growing Economy – Towards National Economic Recovery,” organised […]
The Alumni Association of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), has called on the federal government to review all policies guiding polytechnic education, to tackle the nation’s unemployment challenge.
President of the alumni, Pastor Oluwafemi Martins, disclosed this today at a national workshop themed: “Business Financing in a Growing Economy – Towards National Economic Recovery,” organised by the association to mark the institution’s 70th anniversary in Lagos.
“Polytechnic education should be geared towards advancing the economic policy direction of the nation, with specific regards to solving the alarming increase in graduate unemployment,” he said.
He added that Polytechnic education is not having the real impact on industrial and technological development and is yet to seriously help in tackling and reducing unemployment in the nation because those who gained admission thereto are not motivated.
Guests and participants at the event.
“Problems of acute unemployment in Nigeria will be seriously reduced by well structured educational policy which will accord technological/polytechnic institutions in Nigeria the same status enjoyed by the likes of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US.
“We make bold to say Yaba College of Technology has many research products in its archive which, if funded, will become global brands.
“We believe we need to redefine our understanding of polytechnic education for us to make it contribute to solving growing unemployment in Nigeria,” he said.
In her remark, the Rector of the school, Dr. (Mrs.) M.K Ladipo thanked the alumni for supporting the development of the Yabatech in particular and polytechnic education in general.
Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) Alumni Executive Members at the event
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Governing Council of Yabatech, Prince Lateef O. Fagbemi SAN, urged government to assist unemployed youths spread across the country, adding that “business financing will help them set up their Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs).”
“By helping small businesses to grow, I have no doubt it will have a positive effect on growing the nation’s economy,” he said.
Also speaking, an alumnus of the school, Prof. Fola Lasisi, said the workshop was about re-birthing Yabatech. “At 70, it’s a revival, a reckoning and a new life of starting over for this institution,” he added.
The event, held in collaboration with the Financial Institution Centre (FITC), Lagos, ended with a communiqué, which according to FITC Managing Director, Dr. (Mrs) Lucy S. Newman, will be sent to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who chaired the National Economic Council, as well as other stakeholders.