Group decries absence of research centre in A’Ibom

Group decries absence of research centre in A’Ibom 
 

Etim Ekpimah

The chairman of Akwa Ibom State Think Tank on Education, Professor Hilary Inyang, has decried the absence of research centres in the state, noting that out of 75 research centres in Nigeria, none is in the state. 

According to him, it is important for universities and polytechnic in Akwa Ibom to have, at least, three research centres every year to reach the maximum of 10. 

Speaking during a meeting with education stakeholders in Uyo, Inyang added that research centres are the engines of the economy. 

“There are 75 research centres in Nigeria, but none of them is 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. 

“Research centres are the engines of the economy. It is very important that a university should have, at least, three research centres every year till the number reaches 10, which is the maximum. The university must have research centres to be able make do aircraft,” he said. 

Inyange also proposed the establishment of four institutions as part of measures to hasten the setting up of an effective and sustaining academic as well as entrepreneurship systems in the state. 

The chairman explained that the proposed institutions were critical in the development of a sustainable Akwa Ibom Strategic Education Roadmap. 

Inyang, who cautioned against the establishment of new primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the next 10 years listed the proposed institutions as aircraft mechanical institute, agricultural research institute, performing art centre and sports academy, noting that all of them are parts of the 17 intervention institutions listed  for creation by AKTTE for the state 

According to him, government should as a matter of urgency establish these specialised institutions to allow school leavers diversify skill and entrepreneurship experiences as well as provide technical inputs to agricultural development in the state. 

He said that in repositioning the education sector for entrepreneurial development, the body has proposed one school, one farm, one factory so that they can generate funds to complement government investment on them. 

Inyang stated that every administration had its own degree of rot adding that since the strategic education roadmap (2020-2030) will outlive about two administrations, the think tank took a non- political approach by digging dip into facts on ground to salvage the deplorable education system. 

Inyang praised Governor Udom Emmanuel for his vision aimed at revamping the education sector in the state and gave the assurance that the think tank would stop at nothing than creating a roadmap that would serve the educational need of Akwa Ibom people. 

In her remarks, the Commissioner of Education, Mrs Enobong Mbobo said the state government is concerned about the challenges facing the progress of education in Akwa Ibom. 

Mbobo said that as part addressing the problems as regarding infrastructure, manpower and innovations that could add value to what is available now, government carefully selected qualified and serious minded persons in the likes of Professor Inyang whom she said has developed socio-economic roadmaps for several countries in the world to create one for the state. 

“Governor Udom Emmanuel is passionate about developing the educational sector of the state. That’s why he set up this Think Tank on Education to come up with recommendations of developing something different for our state,” he added.