The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Akwa Ibom State, Dr Uduak Ukekpe, said no cult activity has been recorded in the institution five years after its establishment.
This was in reaction to a question on how the increase in cultism both at the secondary and tertiary institutions in the State has affected the polytechnic.
Recall that the governor of the State, Mr.Udom Emmanuel worried by the high rate of cultism among youths, proscribed 31 cult groups in the State and had in different times preached against cultism.
But the Rector, Dr Ukekpe while conducting newsmen round the main campus of the institution on weekend to inspect the ongoing and completed projects as part of activities marking his two years in office said students of the polytechnic were cautioned against the dangers of social vices.
He said, “On the issue of cultism, there is no case of cultism so far, in the institution, as students have been strictly warned against it, even examination malpractice, they were also warned and those who were found culpable of examination malpractice were suspended and expelled.”
The Rector also disclosed that a total of eight courses which include: Science Laboratory Technology, Civil Engineering, Electrical Electronics Engineering, Architecture, Computer Engineering, Business Administration, Survey, and Accounting would be added to the existing two courses of Statistics and Computer sciences.
He noted that all the Courses under the National Diploma programme would be given full accreditation by NBTE alongside the Computer Science and Statistics that were given interim accreditation.
Ukekpe said the institution has already acquired all necessary equipment for the Engineering programme, adding that some buildings being constructed for the programme have been completed while some are almost completed.
He however expressed hope that the administrative seat as well as academic activities would resume in the permanent campus by June 2021.
His words, “We have acquired all the necessary equipment listed by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) as a requirement for the programme approval.
” We are only waiting for remaining construction work including the Electrical /Electronics Engineering complex to be completed. But the Civil Engineering Workshop and School of Environmental studies complexes have been completed and equipment installed since last year.”
He noted that 80 per cent of ongoing projects at the institution’s permanent campus was sponsored by TETFUND adding that they were working hard to attract more TETFUND intervention where possible.
