Akwa Ibom State governor Udom Emmanuel has inaugurated and handed over the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC) at Ikot AdaIdem, in Ibiono Ibom local government area as part of his parting gifts to the people.
While commissioning the centre ahead of his handing over ceremony to the incoming administration to be led by the governor-elect, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, on May 29, the governor explained that the state government would be running the centre in collaboration with the University of Lagos (UNILAG), as a key partner towards effective implementation of the agenda for which it was established.
Emmanuel said the decision to partner a university within the country instead of some institutions abroad became necessary to ensure understanding of the state’s environment and socio-cultural structures.
He said, “I want to thank the University of Lagos because when we approached them on this project for their collaboration and partnership, they did not turn us down. Meeting the University of Lagos should assure you that this centre will be one of the best, a centre of excellence.
“It is also a challenge on the University of Lagos because we had the opportunity of collaborating and partnering with other institutions outside Nigeria. We have some in Philippines, some from Pakistan, but I said no, east or west that no other institution outside Nigeria would understand our environment, our socio-cultural structure to be able to manage in order to achieve our desired result.”
Governor Emmanuel assured the partners of the state government’s continuous support, even as curtains have been drawn to end his era, and listed faculties at the centre to include Faculties of Agric- Business, Steel and Building Technology, Mechanical Fabrications and Automobile Engineering.
Others are Faculties of Power and Renewable Energy, Hospitality and Lifestyle Management, Information and Communication Technology, Wood Technology, General Studies and Skills Development, amongst others.
In her remarks, the deputy vice chancellor of UNILAG, Prof Ayodele Atsenuwa, commended Governor Emmanuel for entrusting the responsibility on the University of Lagos, assuring that “the institution will ensure that graduates from the centre become potential employers of labour.”
The commissioner for information and strategy, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong, applauded the governor’s decision to convert the institution, which once served as Government Technical College, to a skills acquisition centre.
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