The executive Governor of Zamfara state Dauda Lawal has set up a visitation panel to investigate and access the condition and standard of tertiary institutions across the state as part of his effort to improve the development of education.
The committee set up to investigate the activities of Abdu Gusau polytechnic Talata Mafara, under the chairmanship of Professor Jafaru Sadiq Abubakar Gummi has commenced visitation of the institution at the permanent site in Mafara.
Briefing the Committee Members, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Surajo Abdullahi Shinkafi narrated the history of the polytechnic since it’s inception in 1956 as a training center to date when it’s become a standard polytechnic.
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Dr Surjo Shinkafi said the state’s owned tertiary institution has produced Three governors of the state including the Chairman of the Nigerian Governor’s forum but yet the institution is still in a comer condition nearest to collapsed.
He said most of the structures in the premises were brought in through the Tetfund intervention projects which he described as commendable.
According to him, the oldest higher institution is facing a lot of challenges that are the stumbling blocks toward conducive atmosphere of teaching and learning in the institution.
Dr Shinkafi further enumerate some challenges which to include lack of manpower, lack f cash allocation, dilapidated structures, lack of standard ICT center, e-library, hostel accommodation among others.
The Rector therefore commended the effort of Governor Dauda Lawal for declaring state of emergency on education in the state and payment of examination fees for three to the students across the state which he described as a welcome development.
He added that the setting of such committee has come at a right time and urged the Committee Members to do their work according to their terms of reference and to come out with a blue prints that would saved the education sector from total collapse.
Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Jafar Sadiq Gummi said education is the social investment that need collaborative effort to achieve the desired objectives.
He assured to live their doors open during their one month investigation exercise in the institution and called on staff, students and general public to bring their contributions in written or physically present themselves before the Committee.
Highlight of the event was the tour of the institution’s compound to see things for themselves which to include the staff quarters, hostels, clinic, classes, staff offices, halls, among others.