The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council has advocated for the outright abolition of official discrimination against polytechnic and National Board for Technical Education (NABTEB) certificate holders in the state.
NUJ Delta State Council Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe stated this when he led members of the state executive on a courtesy visit to the office of the Commissioner for Technical Education, Rt. Hon. (Pastor) Joan Onyemaechi in her office in Asaba.
Comrade Oyowe stressed that technical education is a veritable tool for self reliance, employment and sustenance, adding that with proper attention, it is capable of curtailing unemployment and enhancing development.
He harped on the need for all stakeholders – government, parents, students and guardians to pay greater attention to technical education considering the huge multiplier benefits it would have on society.
The NUJ Chairman particularly called on governments to do away with covert discriminatory policies, especially in the civil and public sectors, which tend to promote dichotomy between conventional universities and secondary certificates from Polytechnic/ NABTEB certificates.
He expressed confidence in the capacity of the Commissioner to effect the desired change in the educational sector considering her pedigree in public service, noting that her track records at the National and State Assemblies and lately as the immediate past Director General of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA), were very remarkable.
Comr. Oyowe said the visit was aimed at building synergy that would enhance awareness among the public and citizenry on the invaluability of technical education to the state in line with the administration’s MORE Agenda.
“As a strong voice in the State EXCO, we want you to bring the requisite change for the removal of the prevailing dichotomy between certificate holders from conventional universities, schools and Polytechnics, technical colleges.
“This expungement of dichotomy should be practically done not just by precepts. We want to assure you of our total support with your Ministry to make sensitization possible as technical education drives self reliance and reduces unemployment”, he said.
Continuing, Oyowe said, “It is very sad that people still believe in the superiority of university certificate. We are willing to work with your Ministry in building confidence in parents, guardians and students on the importance of technical education”.
The NUJ Chairman underlined the essence of his leadership’s thrust on the POWER concept and the derivable mutual benefits for Journalists in the state and Delta in general.
Responding, the Commissioner said the initial misconception of perceived inferiority of technical school certificate is being addressed by the Ministry.
According to her, students of the technical colleges are being availed the opportunity to obtain dual certificates, the NABTEB and SSCE, to equip them to study their choice courses in any tertiary institutions of their choice.
Moreover, the Commissioner revealed that the newly created Delta State University of Technology Campus at Orerokpe, which is upgrade of an existing Technical College, is specifically designed to admit graduates from the technical colleges across the state.
She said technical education facilities across the state are becoming overwhelmed by the number of students enrollment, adding that additional facilities are needed in order to accommodate more students.
She noted that Technical Colleges in the state also intends to embark on training those beyond school age to acquire skills that can enable them fend for themselves.
Rt. Hon. Joan Onyemaechi took swipe on prevailing journalism practice, particularly the online platforms and called for enhanced ethical and professional content and delivery.
She lamented the debasement of journalism profession largely borne from knack for pecuniary inducements, while tasking the NUJ to redeem the profession from disrepute and restore its lost glory to enhance the desired patronage.
“People publish without verifying stories and there is need for the balancing of stories before going to press. You need to work seriously on your members in order for the profession to regain its respect and then it can get patronage from government. The needed support will be given to NUJ in order to embark on training of its members”, she stated.
The Commissioner expressed confidence in the capacity of the NUJ Delta State EXCO, noting that “It is going to be a welcome development for all of us to work together and we will be glad to partner with the NUJ on sensitisation”.
