FPOG Bonny Marks Maiden Convocation with Call for Collaboration

Stakeholders in Bonny Local Government Area and well-meaning Nigerians have been urged to collaborate with the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, to ensure its advancement for the overall benefit of the local government area and the country at large.

Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, Bonny Local Government Area, Dame Anengi Barasua Claude Wilcox, gave the charge at the pre-convocation lecture of the polytechnic as part of the activities marking the institution's maiden convocation.

In her opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion and Chairman Caretaker Committee, Bonny Local Government Council, Dame Anengi Barasua Claude Wilcox, represented by the immediate past Vice Chairman of the Council, Hon. Omoni Longjohn, commended the Governing Council and Management of the polytechnic for achieving the remarkable feat of graduating students after years of inception.

"We urge stakeholders to collaborate with the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, to ensure its advancement for the overall benefit of the local government area and the country at large," Dame Anengi Barasua Claude Wilcox said.

Hon. Omoni Longjohn added, "We commend the Governing Council and Management of the polytechnic for achieving the remarkable feat of graduating students after years of inception."

Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Victor Okolobah, noted that the pre-convocation lecture is one of the several events lined up for the convocation ceremony, adding that it holds special significance for the polytechnic as participants learn and acquire knowledge from the experience of the guest speaker, Prof. Idris Bugaji, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

"The maiden convocation lecture is a testament to the polytechnic's unwavering commitment to the dissemination of knowledge and pursuit of intellectual growth, providing an avenue for the exchange of ideas and a ground for meaningful discussion," Dr. Okolobah said.

Presenting his paper on the theme "Skills Acquisition and Technical Innovation in Nigeria: The Place of Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny," the guest speaker, Prof. Bugaji, represented by NBTE South-South Zonal Director, Mr. Cyril Mbong, regretted that despite Nigeria's vast human resources, the country struggles to develop a skilled workforce.

"Nigeria faces significant challenges in skill acquisition and technical innovation, and polytechnics like FPOG Bonny play a crucial role in equipping students with necessary skills and knowledge," Prof. Bugaji said.

The discussant, Hon. Edward Pepple, former Executive Chairman of Bonny Local Government Council, stressed the importance of empowering young people with skills to drive societal progress.

"Empowering young people with skills is crucial for societal progress, and FPOG Bonny plays a vital role in Nigeria's growth, training workers for the oil and gas sector," Hon. Pepple said.

In her vote of thanks, Deputy Rector Administration and Chairman of the Convocation Committee, Mrs. Ibifiri Blessing Pollyn, expressed satisfaction with the paper presentation and discussion.

"FPOG has come to rescue the oil and gas sector with well-equipped students who have passed through the rigors of learning to challenge the sector and build a promising Nigeria," Mrs. Pollyn said.

The citation of the ES, NBTE, was read by the Acting Registrar, Altina Boma-George.

Present at the occasion were Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator George Thompson Sekibo, and members of the council, deans of schools, directors of departments, staff, students, and invited guests.