The foremost source of value and competitive benefit in the knowledge economy is human and intellectual capital. It is said that Nigeria, with a population of over 180 million people, has the hidden capacity to effectively transform into a truly knowledge-driven economy.
However, for this to take place, the higher education system must be properly positioned. And in so doing, science and technology must be sufficiently funded in order to accelerate development. This is why Nigerian leaders should be thinking on how to sufficiently equip our higher institutions particularly the science and technology based institutions not only to develop and galvanize the economy, but also to serve as the vehicle to formulate our national ethos and policies.
And this is why the push by the Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji, for the takeover of the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, by the Federal Government is valuable and appreciative. Senator Orji (Ochendo Global) had some years back presented a bill for the takeover of the polytechnic before the Senate and had argued while backing the bill that the takeover of the polytechnic by the Federal Government will raise its fiscal and academic value and technologically strengthen the institution to enhance its manpower development goals.
Indeed, a polytechnic that sits in a highly competitive industrial and commercial city like Aba should have a federal backing and support that requires it, in this 21st century, to meet up with its assigned role of boosting its technological and industrial growth.
Accordingly, Senator Orji had underscored the fact that the conversion of the polytechnic from state owned to federal owned will not place much burden on the federal government because the facilities are already in place. The immediate past governor had told newsmen shortly after the Senate had passed the Federal Polytechnic, Abia State (Establishment) Bill 2018 into law last Tuesday that as the nation’s capital of micro, small and medium scale enterprises, Aba should have a federal polytechnic to advance this model.
He had informed the government and stakeholders in the education sector that the Abia Polytechnic Aba which the bill sought to convert to a federal institution already has infrastructures and other facilities and that the institution will be cheaper to operate because the space, facilities and staff, including specialized manpower are already on ground.
The decision by the federal government to run technology-based schools such as the one in Aba is one of the best decisions that have been taken so far by government. Certainly, it will enhance science and technology in a country that virtually depends on foreign machines to meet its industrial needs.
A man of concrete action and immense wisdom, Senator Orji, had counseled the federal government not to bother building another institution, but concentrate in working on the already established infrastructures on ground in Abia Polytechnic Aba.
His words, “We know the pressure on the federal government in terms of resources right now, that’s why we’re telling the government; don’t build another one, save the resources for other things, come and take over this one already in existence. It is a leeway to achieve your policy of one state one polytechnic in the federation”.
This is indeed a wise counsel. It draws inference to the legislation that makes it mandatory for the federal government to establish a polytechnic in every state of the federation, a way of saying give Abia its due in the academic or technology sector. It should be noted that Orji has been an education catalyst. As governor of Abia State, he handed over 32 missionary and private schools to their original owners.
As a Senator representing Abia Central, Orji has been in the forefront of the advancement of science and technology in the country. Now that the bill for the conversion of the Abia State Polytechnic tagged “Federal Polytechnic, Aba Bill” has been passed by the Senate, it behoves on the President to swiftly assent to it without delay.
After all, the bill is properly framed and articulated; a development that prompted the Senators that passed it into law and some stakeholders in the science and technology sector to describe it as outstanding. Some see it as a good move that would transform Aba technologically and give the Abia State Government some financial respite.
Remarkably, T A Orji as a sitting governor between 2007 and 2015 increased the salaries and subventions of institutions of higher learning in the state, which the Abia State Polytechnic is one. He has indeed shown some extraordinary affection on the polytechnic education. Today in the Senate, Senator Orji has carved a niche for himself as an outspoken Senator just as he did as an equity personality before he served out as governor of Abia State.
Obviously, he has created a paradigm shift both in governance and in legislation. This is why his name rings a bell wherever it is mentioned in either circle. Therefore, it is necessary to give him another opportunity to represent the Abia Central Senatorial District so that he will join the league of ranking Senators whose huge experience in legislative matters impact immensely on their district and the nation.
It is for this reason that the electorates all over the world want their representatives to represent them more than ones in the parliaments. By so doing, the parliamentarians acquire more oratory skill, get soaring value and assimilate more knowledge in legislative matters and indeed attract bigger and better amenities and projects back home.
Uche Nwaosu,
Abia State
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