By Harrison Arubu
Abuja – Dr Theresa Akande, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, says the institution is partnering with a private company, AVNL, to assemble tractors in the polytechnic.
Fielding questions at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja, Akande said the partnership also included the provision of after sale services for tractors.
She attributed the feat to the success of the polytechnic’s Obasanjo Centre for Engineering Innovation through which the institution is executing the collaboration.
She said: “In fact, our Obasanjo Centre for Engineering Innovation when I saw what they were producing of recent, I was amazed.
“They produce stabilisers of such high quality that you won’t believe this has been made in the country.
“Our glass ware production unit is into production of all forms of laboratory glass ware that you can think of. Even your steel saves, they are made in our Obasanjo Centre.
“Recently, a private company, AVNL, decided to partner with us for the assembly of tractors as well as the after sale service, which I think is a big step for us in the institution.
“They had that much confidence to want to use our Obasanjo Centre for Engineering Innovation to assemble and produce those tractors as well as carry out the after sale service for the unit.’’
The rector said the polytechnic was also in a research partnership with the University of Aberystwyth, Wales, for the production of pest resistant cereals.
Under the partnership, according to her, the field trials of high yielding short-stemmed dough sorghum were ongoing in the polytechnic.
She urged other polytechnics in the country to come out of their shells and showcase their technological and innovative products to the world.
Akande noted that despite daunting challenges, Nigerian polytechnics were churning out amazing products that could compete anywhere in the world.
“You will be surprised by what is happening in the polytechnics now. I hope we would be able to bring up a platform to showcase to NAN what is happening in the various polytechnics.
“If you go to the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede; Auchi; Yaba College of Technology; Oko; you will see what I am saying.
“Young men and women are really displaying unbelievable abilities, manufacturing things even when they don’t have the right equipment.
“I think we need to blow our own trumpet at home before external people can come to our aide,’’ Akande said.
