Akwa Ibom State education sector is work in progress as the Professor Hilary Inyang – led Think tank Committee on Education has suggested the establishment of research institutes in the State, to engender entrepreneurship development among the citizenry.
Professor Inyang who blamed the low entrepreneurial advancement of the State on the absence of research centres in Akwa Ibom State, said out of 75 Research Centres in the country, none was established in the state.
He said it was pertinent for the Universities and Polytechnics in Akwa Ibom to have at least three of such centres to a maximum of ten every year as the engines of the economy.
Inyang canvassed this view passionately while addressing education stakeholders at a meeting in Uyo on ongoing efforts of the Think – Tank to develop an education roadmap that would revitalize the sector from 2020 – 2030,
“There are 75 research Centres in Nigeria, but none of them is located in Akwa Ibom State, they are all located elsewhere. The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi and many others, not even one is in Akwa Ibom State.
“Research Centres are engines of the economy. It is very important that Universities and Polytechnics in the state should have at least three research Centres every year to a maximum of ten. The Universities, Polytechnic, Ikot Osura must have research Centres to be able to do aircraft and contribute to the development of the State”.
He proposed the establishment of four institutions as part of measures to fast track the setting up of an effective and sustaining academic and entrepreneurship system in the state.
The Think-tank Chairman explained that, the proposed institutions were critical in the development of a sustainable Akwa Ibom Strategic Education Roadmap desired by government.
Inyang cautioned against the establishment of new primary and secondary schools in the next ten years, but listed the proposed institutions as aircraft mechanical institute, agricultural research institute, performing art center and sports academy as part of the 17 interventionist institutions for the state
As a matter of urgency, “government should establish the aforementioned Institutions to allow school leavers diversify skills and entrepreneurship experiences, as well as provide technical inputs to agricultural development in the state”.
He noted that, to reposition the education sector of Akwa Ibom for entrepreneurial development, the Think-tank has suggested One – School, One – Farm, One – Factory so that they could generate funds to complement government investment on education.
Professor Inyang however, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for his vision at revamping the education sector in the state, and assured that, the Think – tank is working assiduously to develop a roadmap that would solve the education needs of Akwa Ibom State.
Many stakeholders who attended the meeting commended the Think – tank for a painstaking job done so far stating that, the statistics generated so far would be beneficial to all sectors of the State’s economy.
Commissioner for Education, Mrs Enobong Mbobo said the state government was concerned about the challenges bedevilling educational development in the state adding that, the Think – tank was government’s bold attempt to rejuvenate the education sector.
According to the Commissioner, “Governor Udom Emmanuel is passionate about developing the educational sector of the state. That is why he set up the Think – tank on Education to come up with recommendations for developing a model that would be different for our state.”
