Executive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr. Mas'ud Adamu Kazaure, has urged federal institutions of the country to introduce programmes that would contribute to the development of the nation's economy, as this would augment the recognition of the education sector in policy implementation by the federal government.

Kazaure made this call while delivering his speech of goodwill at the valediction ceremony of the rector of the Federal Polytechnic of Offa, Kwara State, on Thursday. Said he, "Today, we have a new government in place, headed by President Muhammadu Buhari. It is a government of change, zero corruption and seriousness; it is the one which is living by good example.

"It is also a government which has the will and courage to fight corruption. But I will like to urge all of us that the change mantra is not only by saying it alone, we must all walk the talk, by equally changing our attitude toward everything we do. "We must all work hard to emulate the attitude of the president, and shun corruption as well as corruption tendencies. Not only the leaders are expected to live by good example, even the followers must ensure to imbibe the culture of good followership, that is the only way we can move forward in Nigeria," he said.

Calling on all technical and vocational institutions, the NBTE boss also advised them not to start programmes or do affiliations, without approval by the NBTE, adding that very important and crucial, is that the institutions should maintain their carrying capacities. While expressing satisfaction about the master plan of the host institution, he advised all other institutions to update their master cum academics plans and try as much as possible, to go by its dictate in order to ensure it is in tandem with the required standards.

He continued, "Since the federal government has recently, made a pronouncement to resuscitate the rail-lines between Lagos and Kano; Lagos and Calabar, etcetera, then let us see this as a challenge to particularly the academic staff. "This is because the set of people who ran the railways in the 80s are either no more, or obsolete, therefore, the academic staff are hereby challenged, to start training sustainable technicians and technologies, who are going to run the soon resuscitated railways.

"We need technicians and technologists that would run not only the railways, the industries that are soon going to kickoff operations at strategic places in the country. "We can all testify to the fact that power has gradually changed its look in recent time, and as soon as power has been completely settled, the next thing is for industries to take off operations," he added.

The valedictorian in his valedictory speech said: "We are lucky now that we have a government at the national level under President Muhammadu Buhari, who has brought the change regime, which has provided a new breath of fresh air for the nation and brought about a new emphasis on efficient service delivery and purposeful public service."

Also present at the event include the Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Dr. (Mrs.) Margaret Kudirat Oladipo, the Ojomu of Offa, Chief Bayo Adewumi and a host of others.