The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, represented by Ezonebi Azorbo, charged graduates to deploy knowledge gained for public service as model citizens supporting key sectors.
Mamman also called on stakeholders and industrialists to complement government initiatives through contributions to research, structure development, scholarships for underprivileged students, capacity building and graduate employment.
“This partnership will significantly augment the accomplishments facilitated by agencies like TETFund, PTDF and International Development Partners.
“A four-year strategic plan is underway as a roadmap for the development of the sector; a crucial step in this direction was the Federal Government-organised National Stakeholders Workshop held on Oct. 19, poised to reshape the future of education in Nigeria.
“We collectively recognise the pivotal role of science and technology education in national growth as a primary driver; the polytechnic sub-sector occupies a central position in our quest for technology development,” he added.
He praised YABATECH as a national heritage nurturing talent, urging innovation and technical solutions for agriculture and manufacturing. The minister tasked institutions to eliminate cultism and exam fraud threatening education.
Earlier, YABATECH Rector Dr. Ibraheem Abdul described the college as intolerant of criminality, striving to equip self-reliant entrepreneurial alumni.
“It is my firm belief that all the graduand, and indeed all in attendance, have been well impacted and empowered to be competent and skillful entrepreneurs that would affect the growth of our country,” the rector said.
The numbers showed 254 graduates with distinction; 1,893 achieving upper credits; 3,940 getting lower credits, and 1,630 in the pass category for the 2021/2022 academic session.
Prominent Nigerians honoured as fellows for exemplary contributions were Lady Christine Otedola, pioneer NLC President Hassan Sunmonu and Borno Governor Babagana Zulum.
NAN
