By Aisha Audu
The Nigeria Korean Friendship Institute of Vocational and Advanced Technology (NKFI) Lokoja, has appealed to the media and stakeholders in Kogi State for support to boost public awareness and student enrollment in the institution.
The appeal was made during a courtesy visit by the institute’s management to the Managing Director of The Graphic Newspaper, Mr. Yusuf Itopa.
The delegation was led by the newly appointed Rector, Dr. Yahaya Onumoh, and introduced by the Permanent Secretary, Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Momoh Stephen Azeez.
Related News
Dr. Onumoh said the institute, which has been in existence for 10 years, was established to bridge the gap in technical and vocational education in Nigeria. He noted that the Korean Government invested over $3.5 million to set up the school with modern equipment for practical training.
According to him, the school runs a 2 year programme in specialized courses. “Our graduates can work in big companies like Dangote, become self employed, or use the certificate to upgrade their wages as artisans. We also have graduates already employed by South Korean firms,” he stated.
The Rector listed courses offered to include Cyber Security, Networking, Computer Science, Welding and Fabrication, and Electrical/Electronic Engineering.
He said the tuition for the 2 year programme was ₦300,000 which he described as affordable. And that all lecturers were trained in Korea for several months before returning to teach.
Dr. Onumoh however identified lack of awareness, inadequate hostels, and classroom accommodation as major challenges facing the school. He said the institute was currently partnering with Kogi State Polytechnic to address the infrastructure gap.
He called on the Kogi State Government, traditional rulers, stakeholders, and politicians to collaborate with the school and sponsor indigent students who have the interest but lack financial capacity to enroll.
Responding, the MD/CEO of The Graphic Newspaper, Mr. Yusuf Itopa, welcomed the team and described the institute as a laudable development for Kogi State.
He assured the delegation of the newspaper’s support in enhancing the activities, programmes and vision of the school while urging them to partner with other media houses in the state for effective information dissemination.
Mr. Itopa acknowledged the key role of technical education the society highlighting it’s role as the bedrock of any nation’s development.
According to him, NKFI VTI has the potential to reduce unemployment and youth restiveness in Kogi if properly projected. He equally promised to dedicate editorial space and special reports to showcase the institute’s programmes to the public.
He also used to occasion to appeal to the State Government to come to the aid of the school
