As the chairman of the governing council of the newly established Federal Government Technical College of Education (Technical) in Keana , Nasarawa State. What initiatives are being implemented to ensure the college’s swift take-off?
We recently visited the Emir of Lafia and the Osana of Keana, who expressed their excitement about the new school and its potential benefits for the state and its people. The establishment of this institution will provide significant opportunities, and the support from the state government has been encouraging. We are committed to ensuring a swift commencement of formal academic activities.
The management team, along with the council and the minister of education, recently attended the groundbreaking ceremony in Keana. We are currently in discussions with TETFUND and other relevant agencies to secure funding that will facilitate the rapid construction of the necessary structures for a quick start.
The people of Nasarawa are thrilled about the new school, which is expected to create employment opportunities and greatly benefit the state. It will undoubtedly make a significant impact.
What objectives do you aim to accomplish during your time as chairman of the governing council?
As the inaugural chairman of the institution’s governing council, my goal is to leave a lasting legacy. We are committed to ensuring the college is established on a solid foundation and poised to make a significant impact in the near future. Achieving this would fulfill my aspiration to validate the trust placed in me by Mr. President, who appointed me as chairman. I am dedicated to creating an example for Nigerians. Notably, within a month of my appointment, we successfully secured the land for the college.
It is one thing to secure the land, but developing it with structures is another challenge. How soon can we expect to see buildings on this college site so that academic activities can begin?
We are making concerted efforts to ensure a smooth start for the institution. Recently, we conducted a groundbreaking ceremony following the formal handover of the land by the Keana community. We are actively engaging with key government bodies, including the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank, to secure funding for contractors to begin construction. I have been meeting daily to facilitate intervention from TETFUND and other sources, particularly the CBN.
We are confident that funding will be available to commence the project immediately. We anticipate that structures will begin to rise within the next few months, and we are committed to working tirelessly for a prompt launch. Additionally, we have interest from European partners in providing equipment, as this is a technical institution.
You have also been appointed a member of the North West Development Commission. What should Nigerians, especially residents of the Northwest zone, expect from the Commission?
While we await Senate confirmation, I assure Nigerians, particularly those in the Northwest, that we will work diligently to tackle the numerous challenges facing the region. All members nominated to the Commission are from the area, and we understand these issues deeply because we experience them firsthand. We will do our utmost to address these challenges with the support of Mr. President, who is committed to improving the lives of all Nigerians. Residents can expect focused efforts on development initiatives tailored to our region’s specific needs.
The North West faces many challenges, including low literacy, education, banditry, and insecurity. What should be the Commission’s priority?
In one word: insecurity. Our primary focus will be on addressing this issue with the support of relevant agencies. Once we tackle insecurity, everything else will begin to fall into place. We must collaborate with security agencies to effectively combat these challenges.
As the DG of the Tinubu Support Organisation, what is your honest assessment of this government?
First, I want Nigerians to understand that this administration is a work in progress, and improvements will come. In my view, the government is on track and will continue to make Nigerians proud as we move forward. So far, it has been a positive experience. It’s important to note that this project began four to five years ago. We supported Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for the presidency because, particularly in the Northwest, we recognize how much he has done for us. It was the right time for him to run. We must acknowledge his readiness to build and promote a united Nigeria.
But Nigerians are expressing concerns about hardship caused by some of the economic policies of this administration. Do you believe these policies are overly harsh?
This hardship is a global issue, not unique to Nigeria, and we are working to help Nigerians understand this. The key question should be: what is the government doing to alleviate this global challenge? Numerous programs and policies are being implemented by the federal government, which also supports states to ensure that these interventions reach all Nigerians, particularly at the state level.
The government has been distributing various palliatives, and more funds are now being allocated to states and local governments. The president has consistently urged sub-national governments to utilise these resources judiciously. We ask Nigerians to be patient; improvements are underway, and we believe everyone will benefit in due time, Insha ‘Allah.
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