The Federal Polytechnic, Bida in Niger State is currently witnessing transformation in the area of infrastructure development.
A visit to the institution by our correspondent showed that the institution is bracing up to the challenge of infrastructural development.
A magnificent convocation square is currently being constructed in the institution. Although the almost completed project is TETFund assisted, the new rector of the polytechnic, Dr Abubakar Dzukogi will take credit for making judicious use of the fund.
Construction work is also in progress on office complexes for Office Technology Management, and for a new Entrepreneurship Education Development (EED) Complex and other departments in the institution.
In addition, efforts are being made to purchase new equipment for laboratories and new books for the central and departmental libraries to replace the old and obsolete ones. There is equally the proposed extension of Mass Communication Complex and procurement of an operational licence for the proposed campus radio station.
According to the rector, a N200 million water project is receiving the needed support and attention of the management.
While making efforts to create a conducive and enabling environment for qualitative teaching and learning to take place, the rector has shown that he has lofty and brilliant ideas for academic excellence and research.
On resumption of office, he set up a committee on manuscripts development and established the Directorate of Research and Publication.
This is to among other things help the institution benefit from globalisation, where research and intellectual materials and projects emanating from the institution will be made available to the whole world.
He stated that efforts in this area will be further consolidated by the almost completed project on the installation of wireless internet facilities to make access to internet service easy for students and staff from any part of the school.
He has directed all beneficiaries of TETFund research intervention to publicly present their progress reports to the polytechnic community through a specially organised seminar, to give opportunity to the people to comment and advise on the research works as well as having an exhibition of items fabricated by the beneficiaries of TETFund intervention.
Security also has been beefed up to ensure safety of lives and property on the campus. Before he took over, cultism, theft and other misdemeanour were at an all time high among students. He disclosed that he had to evolve decisive strategies aimed at curtailing the ugly trend.
Apart from prosecution of culprits, it is now a tradition to display the photographs of culprits at strategic locations in the campus to serve as deterrent to others .
The new rector has surely started on a sound footing and has renewed hope that the days ahead will be better for the polytechnic .
Dzukogi took a stand on discipline and fight against corruption, improvememt on infrastructure and other aspects that will distinguish the polytechnic , right on assumption of office.
Just nine months since he assumed office he has not left anybody in doubt about the fact that it would not be business as usual.
Since then, he has been rolling out meaningful policies and programmes that have already stood him out, to the admiration of well-meaning stakeholders within and outside the polytechnic community.
