As reactions continue to trail the recent approval by the federal government for the establishment of Federal Polytechnic in Abia state, a cross-section of the citizens and residents, on Saturday, applauded the government for the granting its establishment.
This comes on the backdrop of the letter written and addressed to Abia representative at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) Abuja, and Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Sampson Ogah by the council of traditional rulers of Umuchieze in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the eastern state, who requested the minister to convey their passionate appeal for the establishment of a federal Polytechnic or Federal Medical Science University in their community.
The Abia monarchs applauded Ogah for his giant strides in the past three years as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and further noted that the minister’s track records were not in doubt.
According to traditional rulers in the letter, addressed to the minister, “Your records are well documented as achiever, therefore, it is not surprising that you are making your marks as minister in your ministry. More importantly, and through this medium, we are making this passionate appeal to you to convey our noble request to Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), for the establishment of a federal polytechnic in our community, Umuchieze, Umunneochi LGA of Abia State”.
On the backdrop of outcome of the request contained in the letter, President Buhari had in a acknowledgement letter, addressed to the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Sampson Ogah, and made available to journalists in Umuahia, the Abia capital, granted the request for the establishment of the federal polytechnic in Umunneochi local area of the State.
Lauding the federal government for the gesture, during an interview with our correspondent, on Saturday, Theresa Iroegbulam, a provisions seller at popular Akara market in Isiukwato local government area of the state, said the polytechnic will complement and enhance the efforts of government at all levels in deepening stable, sound and qualitative education sector in teaching and learning of pupils and students in various education institutions in Abia and the Nigeria at large.
According to him in words, “it will go a long way to improve and enhance the dwindling education system in the country, so as to foster empowerment, growth and development of present and future generations. The proposed school when completed, will equally afford many career opportunities both to indigenes of the host/ donor community, and non indigenes particularly, in area of job employment, promotion of skill training acquisition and artisanship, the promotion of Small and Medium Scale Business Enterprises etc.
“It’s a commendable gain in the unwavering and successful efforts of all critical stakeholders in the Nigeria’s education sector to bequeathing a Nigeria of high standard in skills and moral education system. Also, I advise the umuchieze community, the host community in Umunneochi local government area to cooperate with relevant government authorities to carry out the developmental facility as quickly as possible.
Continuing, Iroegbulam said, “I must commend our minister, Uche Ogah for this laudable strides by facilitating this presidential acknowledgment of the request for the establishment of a federal polytechnic in Abia community. This singular gesture has especially given the host community an economic facelift in every sphere. So, all should join hands in making the provision of basic education conducive, affordable and attractive”.
On his part, David Nwabuisi, an indigene of Umunneochi area (host community), said the polytechnic when realized would “save our people who desire to acquire requisite skills, experience and competences through teaching and learning in order to propel them to become self-empowered, self-developed and self reliable to be among the best in Nigeria and global labour markets.”
The resident pointed out that the school project when completed will address the increase rate of joblessness among populaces in the area, through mass employment in the polytechnic workforce.
Nwabuisi appreciated the facilitator of the polytechnic project and federal minister from Abia state, Uche Ogah on this meritorious and marvellous developmental gesture, which he described as historical and everlasting, urging the indigent and host community to cooperate with government’s contractors to see to the earlier realization of the higher education institution in the Abia area.
He said, “I will say it is a laudable one, and will make a great impact in enhancing the desires of many in acquiring qualitative teaching and learning for continuous human empowerment and development to meet up to the present technological realities.” 
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