Kenneth Ofoma
30 October 2008
Abakaliki — Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana-Afikpo, Ebonyi State, has been selected for the establishment of a world class Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the South East regional centre by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Rector of the Polytechnic, Professor Francis Otunta said this when a team from Champion newspapers paid him a courtesy visit at his office, said the polytechnic had completed a new building to house the centre.
Prof. Otunta noted that the polytechnic is expecting the arrival of a team of UNESCO officials for the installation of the ICT equipment including 20 work stations by next month.
He said when operational, the centre would train personnel from around the zone on ICT programmes, technical vocational education and technology, (TVET), curriculum development as well as serve as venue for lectures, workshops and conferences.
He said on assumption of office two years ago, he had ensured that three more courses were accredited in the polytechnic, thereby pushing the number from 20 to 23 in addition to the construction of five new blocks and regular payment of staff salaries.
He said his administration in conjunction with the Education Trust Fund, (ETF) also embarked on the provision of internet access and acquisition of computers to replace the manual typewriters he met, noting that already, the first batch of 100 computers are is being distributed while another batch of 700 computers is being expected before the end of December.
On the recent violent demonstration in the polytechnic by youths of the host community, over the killing of a woman in a farm located at the undeveloped portion of the school, Prof. Otunta said the deceased had been buried while police and two panels set up by the Federal Ministry of Education and the polytechnic authorities respectively are still investigating the matter.
He said the polytechnic with a population of more that 6000, made up of 5,227 students and 917 staff had enjoyed peace for years until last September 16, when the unfortunate incident happened.
"On the 16th of September a young boy suddenly ran out of the bush crying that his mother was being killed by two men. And naturally one would be obliged to investigate what happened but before one could say anything the youths of the host community came on rampage, destroying things. They brought the corpse of the woman and abandoned it here. But that does not mean that there is no peace here, it was just an unfortunate incident and we thank God that no other person lost his or her life," he added.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Operations, Champion Newspapers Ltd, Mr. Sam Ibemere, told the rector that the team was in his office to congratulate him on his achievements and to intimate him of restructuring and re-engineering of business operations in Champion Newspapers Ltd, which among other things resulted in simultaneous printing of Champion newspapers in Lagos and Owerri.
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