The Rector, Maurid Polytechnic, Dr. Godwin Umontuen, has charged students of tertiary institutions to embark on academic vocation that will make them self reliance rather than employment seekers.
Dr. Umontuen who made the remark at the 4th matriculation Ceremony of Maurid Polytechnic, Mbiaso, Nsit Ibom Local Government of Akwa Ibom State lamented that there were several institutions graduating thousands of students yearly without learning the art of money making.
“All most all of them graduate to be job seekers but not job creator. Therefore I urge you to be different”. Dr. Umontuen said.
He remained the students of a Chinese saying which states that, “tell me and I’ll remember for an hour, show me and I’ll remember for a day, but let me do it and I’ll remember for ever”. Maurid he stressed has provided the platform for you to do it yourself, make mistakes, correct them and remember for ever.
He told the matriculating students that “you are not a failure until you look for whom to blame for it”.
Speaking philosophically, Dr. Umontuen said, “Our people are poor not because they are black but because they are blind, yes, a blind man has no sense of value for the treasure around him”.
While arguing that it was high time we come out of our deplorable state and positively change our identity by first improving out lots as individuals he noted that the nation is so rich that you can literally pick monies on the streets, but the nationals are blind that they cannot see.
He contended that staying in Maurid Polytechnic enables you to create vocation that will he students after graduation and become employers of labour, this he noted is fastest way of attaining financial freedom.
The Rector urged the matriculating students to “think big and even far bigger than you ever imagine, this institution will give you the key to recognizing the full potential of your life”.
The provost of Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, Dr. Patrick Uko in his goodwill massage expressed satisfaction on the positive impact the institution has made in the academic community commending his effort in the social and infrastructural transformation of the institution to a citadel of learning.
The institution matriculated 818 students into the department of Electrical Electronic Engineering, Computer Software Engineering, Science Laboratory Technology, Business Administration and Management Accountancy, Banking and Finance, Mass Communication, Computer Hardware, Engineering and Public Administration for the award of National Diploma Certificates.
The Ceremony had the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Education Prof. Atim Antai who was represented by Dr. Rosemary Essien, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry as Special guest of honour.
