Date: 2016-08-02

The Rector of Kwara state Polytechnic Ilorin, Alhaji Mas'ud Elelu has canvassed more emoluments for students undergoing Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) towards making the scheme serve the purpose it was created for.

Elelu said a legislation should be put in place by relevant authourities to ensure compliance with this proposition.

He bemoaned alleged inhuman treatments most of the SIWES members are subjected to by their employers.

He said the SIWES as a programme designed to bridge the gap between theories taught in school and the practicals in the outside world remained the pivot of technological education anywhere in the world

Elelu, represented yesterday in Ilorin by the Directorate of Students' Services, Mr. Adewole Adegboyega stated this during the 2016 pre- SIWES orientation lecture organised for the students of the polytechnic.

Elelu noted that the aim of the programme is to expose the students to the needed experience in handling machines that are not available in the institution.

According to him, "the primary objective of SIWES is to prepare the students for the future by combining the theoretical knowledge with skills to acquire desired result.

The Rector therefore, advised the students to be good ambassadors of the polytechnic by obeying the rules and regulations of the industries, as well as dressing decently to their place of SIWES.

In his address at the occasion, the Industrial Training Fund Area Manager, Ilorin Area Office, Mr Ladokun Ajibola, noted that the economy of the country has made it compulsory for students to prepare for self-employment, thus, urged the students to be committed to the programme.

Ladokun who stressed that the rate of unemployment in Nigeria is on the high rate disclosed that the country now needs job creators not seekers.

He advised them to take the exercise with all the seriousness it deserves to acquire the needed skills.

In his remarks, the Director, Industrial Liaison and Placement Unit, Kwara State Polytechnic, Engr. Shehu Abdulkadir Magaji, disclosed that no society can achieve meaningful progress without encouraging its youths to acquire necessary practical skills, thus, urged the students to be attentive and punctual at their place of SIWES to be able to harness the available resources to meet the needs of the society.

He added that aside from being part of the approved minimum academic requirement in their field of study, the experience gained during the SIWES will have a lasting effect on their future career.