By Uzo Ugwunze
As part of the activities lined up to mark her 100 days in office, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Irene Chioma Awuzie has flagged off a skill Development Programme at the polytechnic, sponsored free medical outreach benefited by over 2000 members of the host community and commissioned some projects.
During the flag off, the Chairman Governing Council Federal Polytechnic Oko, Sen. Dr Barnabas Gemade was present to commission an ultramodern Skill Acquisition Center Oko and a Medical Center named after him at the Ufuma campus of the polytechnic.
Speaking at the Skill Development center the substantive Rector, Dr Chioma Awuzie maintained that the polytechnic was not only producing graduates but also producing skilled professionals, job creators and problem solvers.
“Our Skill Development center is built on the National Skills qualification framework (NSQF) aligned with standards of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). We are delivering competency -based training and prioritizes hands-on experience, Industry relevance and entrepreneurial drive”.
“The skill acquisitions centre will not only provide a platform for skills development but will also generate revenue for the Polytechnic .
Dr Awuzie further announced that the first 25 trainees from both within the school community or host community who registered for the program in the center will be trained for free.
According to the Director, Skills Development Center Federal Polytechnic Oko, Engr Samuel Nwokoye, the skill Development Programme will be training on Fashion and Garments making,, Wielding and Fabrication, Furniture Craftsmanship, Leather works, Block moulding and Concrete Technology.
Commissioning the Senator Barnabas Gemade Medical Center Ufuma campus the Chairman Governing Council, Sen. Gemade who was amazed with numerous achievements of the rector just within 100 days in office expressed gratitude to God and to the working Rector for immortalizing him so soon. He pledged he would continue to give his best in ensuring that more developmental projects were attracted to the polytechnic.
Moreover, at the Oko Civic Center, Orumba North LGA, it was jubilation and commendations from the host community, Oko as they turned out in mass before 8 am to enjoy the free medical outreach sponsored by the Rector, Dr. Chioma Awuzie.
The Acting Medical Director of the polytechnic, Dr. Paul Okose eulogized the Rector for the initiative which was the first of its kind saying that Drugs and equipment worth millions of naira were procured to ensure that the medical need of thousands of prospective patients who accessed the program were met for free.
“Our scope for the medical outreach include Eye check, free eye glasses, HIV test, Blood Sugar levels, Blood pressure test, malaria, typhoid treatment, Hepatitis B test, common ailments all free of charge with drugs issued for free.,” said Dr. Okose.