By: Chidiebere Akalawu
Association of Vocational and Technical Educators of Nigeria (AVTEN) Southeast Zone held its Maiden Zonal Conference In Grand Style.
The occasion which took place at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka with the theme, ‘Emerging issues in Vocational and Technical education for sustainable workforce development’, aimed at highlighting the imperativeness of Vocational and Technical education in Nigeria.
It brought together Educators, experts, professionals and industrialists under the aegis of the Association of Vocational and Technical educators of Nigeria (AVTEN) Southeast Zone to deliberate on issues partaininig to their growth and sustainability in the country.
Prof Constance Okoli, the lead paper presenter and Director Sandwich Unit of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Campus in her speech, urged the Federal Government to provide funds to drive the acquisition of vocational, technical and digital skills of the educators so as to advance and upgrade their knowledge.
She urged all techno phobia teachers to upgrade their computer skills for their benefits and that of their students.
Prof Okoli further suggested that students engagement in industrial training exercises relevant to their disciplines and proper accreditation of VTE program in the country will enhance the productivity of graduates of the programmes.
In a similar development, Prof. Ogochukwu Ibeneme one time Dean Faculty of Education, NAU, who received an award of excellence along with Prof Anthonia Umezulike of the Faculty of Education Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University and Engr. Martins Esomonu of Federal College of Education Technical Umunze among many others, expressed delight in the honour given to them by the Association and promised to continue in their good work.
On the other hand, Dr Jacinta Ifeoma Obidile, the convener and Vice President of the Association, Southeast Zone, underscored the importance of stakeholders’ support in funding Vocational and Technical education so as to enhance the production of competent graduates who will help in the Nation building.
Thanking all the participants for their active participation at the conference, Dr Obidile urged the Vocational and Technical Educators among them to always update their teaching competencies through training and re-training so as to continually impact the necessary skills needed for self reliance of their students.