*Rejects Conversion Of Polytechnics To Universities











The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has urged all polytechnic students to gear up and put up their best performances at the forthcoming Nigeria Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA).





NAPS expressed this at a press briefing held at the weekend in Kaduna, anchored by its National President, Comr. Ridwan Opeyemi Munirudeen.



"You all will recall that over a month ago, the leadership of NAPS held a press conference to condemn the Marginalization of other zones from hosting NIPOGA in favour of the North Central zone, haven hosted it consecutively.







"Let it be on record that our agitation is borne out of the spirit of unity as NAPS constitutes of students from the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, as patriotic and unbiased citizens, we wouldn't support sentiment of any kind, hence our outcry for justice and equity.







"After extensive deliberation with the leaderships of NBTE, COHEADS, Ministry of Education and the security agencies, we were persuaded to allow Federal Polytechnic Offa (North-Central) play host for the 2024 version of NIPOGA while Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku (South-South) will be compensated with the next version (2025) of NIPOGA.



"These agreement was reached in the spirit of statesmanship and also putting into consideration the heavy amount that has been invested into preparation by these two institutions and in line with the constitution guiding NIPOGA.







"To this end, Nigeria Polytechnic Students are hereby enjoined to start preparations in earnest as we look forward to seeing you all at Federal Polytechnic Offa for NIPOGA 2024."



Speaking on the proposed has proposed conversion of Federal Polytechnic Ilaro Ogun State to Federal University of Technology, the students body expressed displeasure.



"The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS is an umbrella body for Polytechnics, Monotechnics, Colleges of Health Sciences, Colleges of Statistics, Cooperative Colleges and other allied institutions awarding National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) cut across the six (6) geo-political zones of the federation.



"NAPS is the second largest student movement in Africa.







"It is with heavy heart we write to express our dismay, displeasure and dissatisfaction on a bill to convert Federal Polytechnic Ilaro Ogun State to Federal University of Technology," it said.







NAPS said that, "t is worrisome that some Nigerians, especially some of our leaders seem to be comfortable with the decadence in the country, this particular act is regarded as the Senate insensitivity to the plight of Nigeria Polytechnic Education and it stands rejected.







"Just two months ago, intellectual colossus from the Polytechnic sector (University & Polytechnic Products) was converged by the National Board For Technical Education (NBTE) in Abuja to hold a One Day National Dialogue and all Rectors , Provost, Past Executive Secretaries of NBTE, Head of Civil Service, Ministry of Education, leadership of Nigeria Polytechnic Students and other Stakeholders both within and outside the educational sector were well represented.







"After an extensive, holistic and mind opening deliberations where both curriculum and other vitals were X-rayed, the stakeholders resolved that the Act that founded Polytechnic Education in Nigeria aim at technological advancement of the country and as such, Polytechnic Education has come to stay, even in developed countries around the globe, Polytechnic Education exists and flourishes well," it said.







The students body said that in a bid to ameliorate and bridge the gap of HND/B.Sc Dichotomy which has paralyzed the Polytechnic sector and almost turned it into a refuse dump, it was agreed at the One Day National Dialogue that rather than converting Polytechnics to Universities, HND Certificates should be Converted to B.Tech(Hons) as being practiced in developed countries and founders of Polytechnic Education.







"While stakeholders are working assiduously to rescue Nigeria from the list of mere consumer Nations to join the list of Producer Nations, we pray and advise that all hands should be on deck. We will not for any reason allow the bastardization of our educational sector by politicians, world class technocrats are already at the helm of affairs and Nigeria must get it right.







"In the lieu of this, the bill to convert a world class Federal Polytechnic Ilaro to Federal University of Technology Ogun State stands condemned.



"We see this desperate move as gimmick and plan to further kill Polytechnic Education in Nigeria, if any state sees the need to own a university of technology then they should move for a fresh institution and not bidding to convert our pride (Fedpoly Ilaro) to University.







"Once again, the leadership of Nigeria Polytechnic Students condemn the Conversion of Polytechnic to University and stand tall by the resolutions of the One Day National Dialogue by NBTE," NAPS declared.