Keeping MTI continuously relevant to nation building inspite of covid 19
In the Machinery industry which is key to industrialization, the training of Nigeria Professionals with the technical skills to blend science with technology is key and for that reason Nigeria needs an institution, like metallurgical training institute to galvanize young adults who are prepared to fill the technological gap of the nation. That way, the over dependence on foreigners to manage the nation’s industrial sector will be reduced. This stakeholders in the Industrial sector say is imperative in this century if Nigeria must make an in-road in the Industrialization drive.
By Ovie Edomi
This perhaps, explained why inspite of the lockdown, necessitated by the Covid-19 Pandemic, the metallurgical training institute, MTI located in Onitsha, Anambra state continues to build bridges and maintain its’ collaboration with bodies and institutions that can help move the institution after the lockdown and when tertiary Institutions fully resume classes.
As schools are closed down, owing to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the institution’s top management staff are being co-ordinated by the institute’s Chief Executive, Bode Fakuade in order to boost their capacities in readiness for the task ahead.
Meanwhile, Industry experts told the magazine reporter that given the hardwork of the Institute Chief Executive and his enthusiasm for quality delivery, the institute will in the not too distant future, groom students that will take over from the foreign experts in the steel, and industrial sectors. For now, all eye are on MTI and Fakuade appears ready and fit for the task ahead. This perhaps explain why, the Chief Executive is always at the ministry of mines and steel to brief his supervisory Minister on necessary steps to cure Nigeria’s industrial malaise. For now, ministry officials continue to applaud Fakuade for his ability to further improve the Institute infrastructure and make it play a key role in the Industrial and technological sectors.
After his second tenure renewal, Fakuade told some of his top management staff while unfolding President Muhammadu Buhari’s plan for the Institute that the steel, machinery and technological sectors are priority sectors that the President believe will drive the economy of Nigeria as such he urged personnel of the Institute to deliver on their training capabilities by engaging in team work, pursue actualisation of the national policy on steel, technology and industralisation by deploying all the magic wand and skills needed to make it happen.
That way the first century training that students of MTI will receive will not only boost industrialization but equally impact greatly on the rating of the Institute amongst other industrialized nations.
For now, Bode Fakuade’s educational policy measures in the face of the Covid-19 have been hailed by some industry watchers as the necessary antidote to curing Nigeria’s long Industrial and technological malaise. Time will tell.