By Ogalla Daniel.
The Kogi State House of Assembly, has called on the State Government to urgently revive and upgrade Government Technical College, Ankpa, and other technical colleges across the state as part of efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education.
The motion, presented during plenary at the Assembly Complex in Lokoja, as Member Representing Ankpa I, Hon Lawel Akus urged the government to undertake a comprehensive rehabilitation of the college and reposition technical education as a catalyst for economic growth and sustainable development.
Hon Akus leading debate on the motion, noted that education remains a critical driver of economic growth, productivity and innovation, stressing that countries with higher levels of education tend to have stronger economies and lower levels of poverty.
He acknowledged the sustained commitment of the Kogi State Government to the development of the education sector over the past decade.
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According to him, the establishment of state universities at Osara and Kabba, the upgrading of secondary schools such as Model Science Secondary School, Adankolo, provision of scholarships to Kogi indigenes in tertiary institutions across the country, payment of N300,000 Law School fees for indigent law graduates, as well as the payment of WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees for students in public schools, demonstrate government’s dedication to educational advancement.
The lawmaker, however, emphasised that technical and vocational education plays a vital role in equipping individuals with practical and industry-relevant skills necessary for employment, entrepreneurship and national development.
He recalled that Government Technical College, Ankpa, established in 1976, was founded to utilise science and technical education in producing skilled manpower, bridging skills gaps and supporting sustainable economic development.
Historically, the college contributed significantly to the training of artisans and technicians in electrical installations, welding and fabrication, fitting and machining, automobile mechanics, and building construction within Ankpa and its environs.
The House observed with concern that the college has in recent years suffered severe infrastructural decay, inadequate equipment and non-functional facilities, thereby limiting its ability to meet contemporary technical education standards and the evolving needs of society.
The motion stressed the need to position Kogi State among the most competitive states in Nigeria in skills acquisition and competence, particularly in view of rising youth unemployment and the increasing demand for technical expertise.
In its resolutions, the House urged the State Government, through the Ministry of Education and other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, to undertake the comprehensive rehabilitation and physical upgrade of Government Technical College, Ankpa, and other technical colleges across the state. This, it said, should include the renovation of classrooms, workshops, laboratories, hostels and auxiliary facilities to meet current technical and vocational education standards.
The Assembly further called on the government to adequately equip the institutions with modern technical tools, machines, ICT infrastructure, instructional materials and safety equipment required for effective teaching, practical training and skills acquisition in line with contemporary industry demands.
The House should also mandated the Ministries of Education and Science, Technology and Innovation, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to recruit, trained and continuously retrain qualified technical instructors, technologists and support staff for technical colleges across the state.
In addition, the Assembly resolved that clear policies, strategic frameworks and a phased roadmap be developed to integrate Government Technical College, Ankpa, and other technical colleges into modern innovation, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition hubs aligned with emerging technologies, industry partnerships and workforce development priorities.
The motion received the support of members, who described it as timely and necessary for the socio-economic advancement of the state.
With the adoption of the motion, the House reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening technical education as a pathway to youth empowerment, job creation and sustainable development in Kogi State.
