Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has disclosed his administration’s commitment to empower 50 best graduating students in agriculture from institutions of higher learning in the state to become entrepreneurs.

Speaking during the 2nd Convocation Ceremony for 2013/2014 graduands of Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro in lsoko North Local Government Area, the governor said the programme would commence from January 2016 and would run all through his tenure in office.

According to him, “This administration will establish 50 best graduating students in agriculture from institutions of higher learning in the state as from January 2016 after their youth service programme so that they will be entrepreneurs and employers of labour. We will be monitoring their progress and ensure they are successful.”

He commended the management of the institution for ensuring that about 28 courses have been accredited by the National Board for Technical Education, stressing that polytechnics in the state should be restructured and refocused for appropriate specialisation to complement the regular skills and training programmes of the institutions.

Senator Okowa advised the National Board For Technical Education (NBTE) to institute mechanism for effective monitoring and supervision of Polytechnics in their respective areas of specialisation.

He said: “NBTE should put the necessary machinery in motion for Nigeria polytechnics to run Post Graduate Diplomas and Master’s Degree programmes especially in their respective areas of specialisation, this will help to elevate the status of polytechnics in the country.”

He expressed satisfaction with the level of infrastructural development in the state, adding that the management of the school has made judicious use of its internally generated revenue (IGR) for development.

“I am quietly impressed with the level of development and effort put in by the Rector and his management. When a man dreams big and remains committed to the dream, nothing can stop the dream, it takes a man of courage to use IGR to start infrastructural projects like the ones in this school,” Governor Okowa said.

He advised the graduating students to be creative, optimistic, bold and embrace entrepreneurial spirit and make a difference in the society despite the economic challenge of youth unemployment in the country.

He disclosed that his administration would soon commence the payment of the 2013/2014 bursary, assuring that “Government is interested in making the payments but has not commenced payment because of the inconsistency in the list of beneficiaries.”

In a welcome address, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Jacob Oboreh, appreciated government’s support for the school, explaining that the polytechnic has a vision of becoming a world class institution.

He explained that the institution was faced with the challenge of teaching staff and solicited the support of government to this effect.

•Photo shows Gov Okowa.

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