NMEC Donates Skill Acquisition Equipment to UNICAL

NMEC Donates Skill Acquisition Equipment to UNICAL, the University of Calabar management has taken delivery of Skill Acquisition Equipment Donated by the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC). myschoolnews reporting.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi has taken delivery of various Vocational and Functional Literacy equipment geared towards enhancing skill development among students and the larger society from the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC)

The equipment presented at the Department of Continuing Education and Development Studies to the University of Calabar which marks the first tranche includes Sewing Machines and their accessories, Gas Cookers, Refrigerators, Deep Freezer, and Air treatment saloon accessories as well as some cooking utensils.

While receiving the items on behalf of the University from the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, Prof Simon Ibor Akpama, the Vice Chancellor commended the Federal Government, for the giant step taken to further promote Skill Acquisition aimed at self-employment of graduates and the citizenry.

The Vice-Chancellor who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof Angela Oyo-Ita commended the Federal Government for making the University one of its pilot centres and added that its action, has shown that the exercise of skills matter and without it, certificates become deficient

The University helmsman assured that the equipment which will be coming in tranches will be judiciously used for the development of the Students and all categories of learners expressing the hope that is going forward, the programme will enhance the University's potential to attract more funding and incentives from the Federal Government and its various International partners. 

She commended the Executive Secretary for being a good ambassador of the institution and for thinking positively of the growth of the university and implored him not to relent in his good works.

The Executive Secretary of, the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, Prof. Simon Akpama in an earlier address, said the initiative was in concurrence with the Commission's policy thrust, disclosing that symbiotic synergies do exist between diverse tertiary Institutions whose programmes encapsulate the ardent promotion of Education of Youths and Adults for sustainable National Development.

Prof. Akpama stressed that high illiteracy rates associated with Youths and Adults constitute a palpable bulwark and threat to human capital developmental efforts of all nations including Nigeria, adding that, unemployment, poverty and insecurity are allied forces, which are intricately linked with high illiteracy rates.

The Executive Secretary used the occasion to commend the Vice Chancellor, for the giant strides already recorded in her barely two years in office and for providing the ambience for NMEC to improve the scope of illiteracy eradication service trajectory in the country.

In a remark, the Dean of, the Faculty of Arts and Social Science Education, Prof. Arikpo Bassey Arikpo, said the obligation of manpower development in the University system cannot be overlooked, even as he prayed that the Students will benefit immensely.

He commended the partnership between the Commission, Cross River State Agency for Adult and Non-Formal Education(AANE) and the University of Calabar and expressed optimism that the University will appreciate what the Federal Government has done by providing a bigger space for accommodation for oncoming equipment.

The Dean called on the Director of the AANE to mobilize all full and part-time learners in the 18 Local Government Areas in the state to be aware of the new development as it will create opportunity for non-formal learners to acquire academic transfer skills which have been a set back for most learners.

Speaking earlier, the Head of the Department of Continuing Education and Development Studies, Dr Cecilia Essien lauded the commission for making the Department one of its pilot centres and promised to use the equipment effectively for manpower training and assured that the goal of the programme will be achieved.

In attendance at the event was the Ag Director, Continuing and Vocational Education Dept, NMEC, Mrs Nnena Ejije, Director of CRS Agency for Adult & Non-Formal Education, Mrs Clara Omini, Dep Dean, Faculty of Arts & Social Science Edu, Prof Essien Essien, Dir of Institute of Edu, Prof Paul Itari, erstwhile Council member, Prof Marcellus Ojua, Dir of Sandwich, Dr William Osang, Faculty officer, Mr Raji Abiodun and all Heads of Departments in the Faculty of Arts and Social Science Education.