By Bridget Tikyaa
It is not an over statement to state that skill not just degree is vital to making any headway in today’s contemporary world, especially technical and digital skills that have wrapped the world into a unique global village.
It is skills that now drives governance, economy, health services, Industries and every gamut of human endeavour. It is therefore germane for any administration, at whatever level, to prioritise skills development in order to lay solid ground for today and the future.
This is not lost to the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia. The governor has since initiated skills training in ICT for thousands of young people in Benue State to tap from the vast opportunities in the sector and be part of the global brand.
This is about making the ICT-savvy population in the state to become employable, employers of labour, and the hub for the development of the state, the country and beyond.
It is in this respect that the state government has initiated yet another scheme for the promotion of science and technical education.
The state Science and Technical Education Board headed by its Executive Secretary, Engr Samuel Kwende is implementing the new government policy.
In between, the board has rolled out a programme for students to leverage the skills in the sector to make a statement. A bold statement that will transform their lives.
“Our students need to be introduced to skills acquisition, so that by the time they leave, they will be useful to themselves. We all know that every reasonable government like the one we have now is leveraging on skills acquisition, because the government will not have the capacity to absorb every youths on the street. If our youths are trained, by the time they leave school they will be useful to themselves and the society.
“Sometime, we look at these skill as things that are for people that are not brilliant. Now, the narrative is different. We want to let them know that this is the way the whole world is going now. The message that we have is that the people, particularly our parents, should encourage their children to adopt this system that we are in now,” Kwende said while explaining the board’s new policy.
“To drive the policy, the board has organised competition for students in science and technical colleges. Competition drives ideas, and the application of those ideas will lead to new skills that can be delivered to solve problems and advance society.
Seven schools are pioneering this competition, which is largely to expose the students to be innovative, to dare, and express their innate potentials.
It will not just end there.
Those who excelled will compete with others at the national, and possibly even at the international level, thus gaining new ideas, building a network of contacts, and getting exposed to best global skills initiatives that will shape their thinking and future.
“We want to introduce our students to this innovation, reward them, and present them for the national science and technology innovation expo in Abuja.
” I want the students to feel encouraged, because what we are doing here, they may not see it now, but they will see it tomorrow,” said the executive secretary, who was also elated by the enthusiasm and passion displayed by the participating students from the eight schools.
The Principal of the school, which hosted the exhibition,Rev. Paul Angulu, said St Joseph Teachical School is not taking this new challenge lightly. the students have developed an inverter that powers a significant part of the school’s administrative block, and more.
“We have a vision to make our children more innovative. Our children have produced an Inverter that can power the whole office complex in the administrative block. We are also working on an electric bicycle. The project is on, and I’m sure before the end of this programme, those projects will be ready. The inverter is ready and I am encouraged by that. I would want to continue to support the children to unleash their God-given potentials.”
One of the ways to get the best from students is to let their ideas reign, expand the practical aspects of knowledge, let them express their creativity, and allow their practical skills to blossom.
This is being done across Benue State, and Governor Alia is keenly watching, encouraging, supporting, and presenting to them ladders of opportunity to excel, thrive, and make a difference.
It is in this respect that Rev. Paul Angulu reeled out life changing advises to the younger generation of Benue citizens.
“The recent talent hunt through the ministry of agriculture that the governor initiated, we participated. In fact, our students presented three different projects. This, for me, is part of the way I can encourage them.
” These other projects of inverter and electric bicycle are actually the right direction to key into what the Governor is doing to bring these young people together, tap the knowledge in them and make them productive.
“I am in support of what the Governor is doing in this direction. I will say that I attended a technical college and I know the gains of what a technical college is. For me, I will encourage young people to take it serious.
Hard work does not kill, it rather makes one stronger. If they work hard, tomorrow will be bright for them. For the parents, do not relent and do not give up on your children, they have so much in them that we need to tap from, and through encouragements and motivation the sky will be the stepping stone for them. So I urge you parents to support your children.”
During the Science and Technology Exhibition/Innovation seven schools had beautiful presentations made.
The Government Science School Anyiase, produced a mordenised Abacha stove, Senior Science School displayed production of Biogas while Government Scient Technical College Tsar brought a Constructed fuel less generator using 2-DC motors.
A machine for the production of decorative blocks for public floors and gardens was presented by Government Science Technical College Gbatse.
While Government Science Technical College (GSTC),Otukpa presented a Fruits and Vegetables preservator and the GSTC Otukpo showcaseda cassava peeling machine, as USAR Science Technical College Lessel constructer an Anti Theft Security System.
