By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The management of Korea – Nigeria Friendship Institute (NKFI) of Vocational and Advanced Technology Lokoja, has offered full scholarships to three talented students who built SUV jeep during an exhibition.
The scholars are students of Saint Peter’s College, Idah, Kogi State, who recently wrote their Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
The students are Samson Emeje 29, Yusuf Ayuba 20 and Tenimu Abubakar 18 years old.
Presenting the Admission letters to the students at the institute on Tuesday, the Rector, Williams Charles, said the students had exhibited rare technical skills and deserved to be aided to advance their talents in order to be useful to the society.
Charles said that the institute have been recognised globally for training of skills’ manpower in the advancement of science and technology contributing to the growth and development of the state.
He said the institute’s management was moved to action by the feat displayed by the students at the 2021 and 2022 STETSCOM Science Exhibition by inventing electrically powered Tricycle, as well as SUV jeep.
The rector praised the students for showing their innovative skills by using locally sourced materials, stressing that people with creative minds are special human beings for their ability to put things on paper and translate it into reality that could be touched and felt.
“I’m excited that this young boys who have just completed their secondary school education, have creativity and natural gift in them.
“What else can I use my office to do than to help them nurture their dreams to become what they want to become in life.
“That is why I invited them to award them full scholarship to develop their skills that can be used to take this country to another level in the future.
“It is obvious that no nation can develop without skills’ acquisition in the area of technology.
“I’m happy because I was able to catch them young and in the next two years I will help them to develop their skill in auto mechanic, electrical and welding.
“it is also a fact that paper qualification is not enough for a graduate to survive in the 21st century; he or she should learn special skills that will give them an edge in the society.
“Here in the institute, we have programmes that are tailored for graduates who want to have special skill. We also have National Diploma Certificate approved by the NBTE. Any smart graduate will take advantage of this institute” He assured.
The rector commended Gov. Yahaya Bello, for his total commitment to the institute, and appealled for further support for the institute to meet the demand of the forthcoming resources inspection by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
The rector and the management of the institute conducted the students and their Principal round the instructional facilities in the school.
He maintained tha graduates of the institution have nothing to do with unemployment as they are sought for by industries and corporate organisations.
He, therefore called on politicians and Corporate organisations and governments to beam their searchlights on young people who have natural skill like this three students to undertake life transformation courses offered by the Institute.
He stated that the mandate of the school was not to generate revenue, but to principally stem the tide of unemployment, and to build the capacity of the youths to have a better society.
While assuring the government of its capacity to produce industry minded graduates to reduce incidence of unemployment and curb restiveness, the rector called for massive financial resources to achieve its mandate.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Samson Emeje, thanked the rector for the gesture, saying it was a dream come through to study at the institute.
According to Emeje, the talent is from God as he got the inspiration from his childhood and often constructs his innovations with ease
He thanked the management of NKFI for the scholarships and for giving them the opportunity to realising their dreams.
On his part, the Principal of the college, Mr Zakari Jonah, commended the institute for the scholarship and promise to create awareness among secondary school students to embrace the institute to further their academic pursuits.
Jona noted that the three students were participants in the 2021 and 2022 Science Exhibition where they showcased their manufactured SUV car and and tricyle, stressing that some officials of the institute were in attendance, who took special interest on the students.
The principal implored governments at all levels to go to the grassroots to identify talents and develop them through technical and vocational education in order to be self reliant.
