AKWA POLY, ORS TO GET FULL ACCREDITATION: Governor Udom Promise Students during the First Quarter Town Hall meeting Organise By his Special Assistant on Student Affairs. Comrade Otobong Akpan

AKWA POLY, ORS TO GET FULL ACCREDITATION

By Uwakmfon Dan

All things being equal, tertiary institutions owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government, including Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, will have all their courses accredited, before the end of the year, 2017,

The State Chief Executive, Governor Udom Emmanuel announced this during the first quarter of the Students' Town Hall Meeting and Inauguration of Students Social Services Volunteer Scheme, organised by the Office of Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Matters, held at the Main Auditorium, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene L.G.A, over the weekend.

Addressing the students, Governor Emmanuel, represented by the State's Commissioner for Education, Mr Paul Udofia, revealed that the non-accreditation of courses is not only peculiar to Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, but all the state-owned tertiary institutions, and said government was making adequate provisions, to securing full accreditation for all her tertiary institutions.

"On the issue of non-accreditation of courses, it is not only Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic that is affected, in fact, that of College of Education, Afaha Nsit, is very bad, most of the courses there are not accredited."

"So one of the things His Excellency asked me to do, on assumption of duty, was to ensure that, at least, all the courses offered by our higher institutions receive appropriate accreditation in 2017. So His Excellency is going to make robust contributions and provisions, to ensure that these courses are accredited", he  stated.

On his achievements in the education sector, Governor Emmanuel who commended the mutual relationship between the state government and the organised Students movement, said his administration has constantly engaged in the training and re-training of education personnel, established a special welfare package and scholarship programme for students and also improved upon the free, compulsory and qualitative education in the state.

While acknowledging the support and loyalty enjoyed by his administration from the Students community in the State, the Governor pledged the continued partnership of his administration to the Students body and called on public spirited individuals to support the  Students Social Services Volunteer Scheme, which he said will improve the quality of skills among students and reinforce them to make informed choices in the society.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Elder Effiong Essien expressed optimism that issues raised by the students will be promptly addressed by the Governor, through the Ministry of Education and urged the students to see themselves as ambassadors of peace in their different institutions.

Others who spoke included the Deputy Rector,of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Arch. Iniobong Ukpong who represented the Chairman Governing Council, Mrs, Akon Eyakenyi and the Rector, Dr. (Barr.) Israel Affia at the occasion.

Earlier in her address, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Matters and convener of the meeting, Comrade Aquilla Otobong Akpan, while welcoming the students, said the Town Hall Meeting was a feedback mechanism which would afford students ample opportunity to interact with the government, and seek clarification on issues affecting their welfare.

Comrade Akpan who described as "open", Governor Emmanuel's administration, said the Governor was passionate about the welfare of Akwa Ibom students and thanked them (the students) for gracing the event in their large numbers.

Highpoints of the Town Hall Meeting included an interactive session by students representatives, ceremonial tree planting by the Governor and induction of Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen as Patron of the Students Social Services Volunteer Scheme.

The occasion which was graced by students from all tertiary institutions in the state, also saw the donation of three live cows and bags of rice by Governor Emmanuel as part of his Christmas gifts to the Students.

As published on Nigerian Pulse Newspaper (Tuesday, 31st January, 2017)