Three gifted and innovative students of Saint Peters College Idah, Kogi state, have been awarded automatic scholarships by the management of Korea – Nigeria Friendship Institute (NKFI) in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi state.
The students, namely Samson Emeje, Yusuf Ayuba, and Tenimu Abubakar, were recognized for their exceptional technical skills, and the Rector of the Institute, Charles William Oluwatoyin, appealed to the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to support the institute in meeting the demands of the forthcoming resource inspection by the Nigeria Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
The Rector, while giving the students and their Principal a tour of the instructional facilities in the school, praised their rare technical skills and emphasized the importance of aiding them to further develop their talents for the betterment of society.
He highlighted the institute’s global reputation for training skilled manpower in science and technology, contributing to the growth and development of the state.
The decision to award the scholarships was prompted by the students’ remarkable display of innovative skills during the 2021-2022 Junior Engineering and Technology (JET) exhibition. They demonstrated their abilities by manufacturing SUV cars, trucks, and tricycles using locally sourced materials.
The Rector expressed his excitement at the students’ creative minds and natural gifts, and he pledged to utilize his office to help nurture their dreams and provide them with a full scholarship to develop their skills. He emphasized the importance of skill acquisition, especially in technology, for the development of the country.
He further explained that paper qualifications alone are not sufficient for success in the 21st century, and graduates should seek to acquire special skills that give them an edge in society. The institute offers programs tailored for graduates who want to acquire specific skills, including a National Diploma Certificate approved by the NBTE.
The Rector pointed out that graduates of the institution are sought after by industries and corporate organizations, and he urged politicians, corporate organizations, and governments to invest in young people with natural skills like the three students who received the scholarships.
He clarified that the school’s mandate is not solely revenue generation but primarily to combat unemployment and build the capacity of youths for a better society. He emphasized the need for substantial financial resources to achieve the institute’s goals.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, 29-year-old Emeje Samson expressed gratitude for the scholarship and expressed optimism in realizing their dreams.
The Principal of the college, Zakari Jonah, commended the institute for the scholarship and promised to raise awareness among secondary school students to consider the institute for their academic pursuits.
He highlighted that the three students had previously participated in the 2022 Science Exhibition, showcasing their manufactured SUV cars, trucks, and tricycles, which caught the attention of officials from the institute.
He urged governments at all levels to identify and develop talents at the grassroots through technical and vocational education to promote self-reliance.
