Commendation As Fed Poly Oko Signs MOU With Innoson On Skills Acquisition

An industrialist, Hillary Onah, Friday, called on various higher institutions across the federation to collaborate with relevant indigenous industries to build the capacities of their graduates.

Onah, an engineer, was reacting to the skills acquisition deal signed by Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, and Innoson Motors which held Thursday at Nnewi, headquarters of Innosson Group.

Onah, while speaking with our correspondent in Enugu, said, “It is only through such deals that our graduates can acquire practical skills to be self-sustaining when they graduate.

“Nigeria’s education system needs to be reformed to encourage skills acquisition. The initiative with Innoson is a practical way to solving our under-development and unemployment.”

Cornel Osigwe, head of Corporate Communications and Affairs, IVM Innoson Group, in a release, said the deal would provide effective collaboration in capacity building of staff and students.

THE WHISTLER reports that IVM currently runs an Innovation Enterprise Institution (IEI) under the name INNOSON KIARA Academy (IKA). The institution offers programmes leading to the award of the National Innovation Diploma (NID) as well as National Technical Certificates (NTC).

Osigwe stated that, “Many polytechnics and universities in the country have not risen to the challenge of admitting NID holders for further studies to become professionals in their areas of specializations.

“This partnership will see Federal Polytechnic, Oko, assist the products of Innoson Kiara Academy by drawing course contents that will identify and address major areas of deficiencies vis-à-vis related National Diploma curricula. These may be administered to the students on graduation to qualify them for the HND programmes in Federal Polytechnic, Oko.

“Alternatively, a bridging programme could be instituted after graduation, to cover courses essential to qualify them to enroll for HND in related programmes in the polytechnic.

“With the partnership, Innoson Kiara Academy will be retraining the academic staff and students of FPO. ND students from selected departments will be sent for Industrial Training at IKA.”

The chairman/CEO of Innoson, Dr Innocent Chukwuma, signed for his company while the rector of the polytechnic, Dr Francisa U. Nwafulugo, signed on behalf of the institution.