From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
MINISTER of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu yesterday called on Nigerians in the private sector, and Non- Governmental Organizations, NGOs to support government in funding education in the country.
Speaking as the visitor to the 32nd combined convocation and diamond jubilee celebrations of Kaduna Polytechnic, Adamu said this has become necessary because, funding of education is capital intensive for government.
The minister said, “One major challenge presently faced by government is the enormous demand for funds to run public institutions.
“As you all know, funding of education is capital intensive. I therefore, enjoin all well meaning Nigerians, the private sector and NGOs in the funding of education.”
This was even as the rector of the polytechnic, Mohammed Bello Ibrahim said that he almost rejected his appointment as rector over huge financial liability when he took the job in 2012.The rector said, “I took over a bedridden Kaduna Polytechnic as rector on the 10th of September, 2012 as a result of crisis that shook its foundation in 2011. The crisis led to lack of confidence and trust among various interest groups in the polytechnic and a huge liability of over one billion naira of unpaid contracts, staff claims, as well as other sundry issues.
“Against this background, there were great expectations from the polytechnic community and the society for the new rector to do magic and fix Kaduna Polytechnic; while others nursed palpable fear in some quarters as to how the management under my watch could bring the polytechnic back on track.
“As a person, one would have chickened out in taking over an institution which has passed through crisis that shook its very foundation, and with financial burden, coupled with other unresolved issues.”