TETFUND PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR PRODUCTION OF SKILLED GRADUATES

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), ArcSonny Echono, pledged total transformation of Tertiary Education Institutions in the country to be able to produce graduates that can be globally competitive with the vital skills through Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Arc Echono who stated this during a visit to the INNOVA8HUB in Abuja, noted that building an innovative technology solution in Institutions within the country will not only enable graduates to be self-employed but also provide the needed workspace for graduates through expertise and entrepreneurship.

He said: “We need to do things creatively so that we can employ all our youths that are unemployed. We can fast-track the process and also modernize the training programme that we have to bring them in tune with the needs of industry and the workplace.

‘’The message that we are spreading across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is to make sure that Nigeria is the hub for innovation, and then we spread out the message across Africa. Africa must become competitive, ultimately, we have shown this in various spheres through our scholars who make exploits and contribute to the global knowledge and economy” Echono added.

Africa, he explained, is currently contributing about 0.5 percent to the global economy, pointing out that it is not something to be proud of, and that the dynamics must change.

Echono further stressed the need for collaboration between tertiary institutions and private sectors to groom generations of innovators to place Nigeria on global recognition.

He commended the Founder and Managing Director of INNOVA8HUB, Professor Gregory Ibe, and pledged his support to ensure all institutions under TETFund key into the innovation, noting that future graduates should be able to produce and not memorize to pass examinations.

On his part the Founder, Professor Ibe explained that the organization is a focal point for innovation start-ups incubation, technology transfer and skill acquisition.

He said it will help train professors in tertiary institutions, through different programmes, and initiatives to bring together brilliant minds and gifted hands across the board.