It Is A Shame, Embarrassment To Be Part Of This Government–Professor Ihonvbere

The Hon. member representing Owan West Federal Constituency, Professor Julius Ihonvbere has said he is particularly embarrassed listening to the presentation of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, NABTEB, budget defense as it shows clearly that there are people who deliberately do not want the institution to succeed in its mandate.

He said it was quite unfortunate that an institution of this magnitude could have been left to suffer untold hardship bearing in mind the dearth of technical and vocational skills in the country saying those sitting on funds meant for the institution should be ashamed of themselves.

According to the Don ” It is a shame and an embarrassment to all those who are supposed to approve funds for this institution. How do you release 9% while some agencies received 100%. What kind of discrimination is this? It is really appalling. We cannot sit here as a committee and watch this abuse of statutory functions”.

”If there is a formula and everybody trust the system, all you need to do is to send to each state. electronically. I am embarrassed for being part of the government. You have done your own best. There are people here in this Abuja who are sitting on the problems of technical and vocational education in this country. Sitting on the progress of our children. We will continue to interact with you. We assure that 2021 will be different.

He advised the NABTEB team led by the Registrar to seek interface with the governors as it is their duty to provide infrastructures for the institutions to function properly noting that the place of technical and vocational education cannot be overlooked.

According to him: ” You must continue to interface with the governors. We shall also engage with them on your behalf. The governors have to provide infrastructures for good learning. We accept your recommendations. Try and get the students into the institution. This committee will continue to engage them. The way to go is not graduate studies.

”These are the real army of unemployment. And, if you add the 15 million out of school children then you can see we are sitting on a time bomb. And, artisans who learnt small works. When those people decides to move no fence can stop them. The important thing  is that the right thing is done.

”This country is in a mess. Some of us can buy ticket and flew away to other countries. How long will you stay before you begin to realize that you are a man on the street. So, i want to say that the work you are doing is very important.

The Committee in a unanimous decision assured the board that it will adopt the institution as a special one since they occupy special place in training and developing skills needed to get young Nigerians out of the streets aimlessly.

He adds ” This Committee will adopt this your board, NABTEB as a special board. We will work with you to anywhere necessary to make sure you get the funding you require for the technical and vocational education provide to work appropriately and gets the results.

”We know how that place is. Security is key in securing the institution. You know EndSARS in Benin is different from everywhere else. Get people education. Support them. Get this children enrolled in school”,  he advised.

The Registrar, NABTEB, Professor Ifeoma Isiugo-Abanihe during her presentation appealed for more funds to enable the instruction perform its duty, noting that craft and technical skills require so much in terms of funding.

She said the cost of preparing and mobilising for exams across the 36 states of the nation including FCT is demanding.