Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre Set To Start With The Inauguration Of School’s Governing Council By Governor Eno
By Emmanuel Uffot
In line with his vision of continuing with laudable and uncompleted projects of his predecessor, Governor Umo Eno has inaugurated a 7-Man Governing Council of the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC), Ikot Ada Idem, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.
While inaugurating the board which is to stir the affairs of the technical / entrepreneurial institution, he mandated them to bring their professionalism to bare in the management of the centre.
The Governor also
enjoined the members to show leadership and deliver on the mandate expected of them, stating that the government will hold them responsible for the success or failure of the centre.
He announced that the State government will sponsor five students from each of the 31 local government areas, totalling 155 as pioneer students and advised the board to engage the services of versatile marketing professionals to project the school in order to generate revenue.
The Governor further stated that the centre will only enjoy government subvention for a period of one year, after which it should be able to sustain itself.
Governor Eno “Government will sponsor five students from each Local Government Area as pioneer students so as to provide the first set of students we want to work with. So you have to set your computer- based exams for them.
“For everything we want to do now, we want to be very transparent. So you will set your computer-based exams, let the students write the exams, and pass. But I am sure in each local government you will find the number that you want to become students in the school. Those should be your first in-takes,”.
As part of the terms of reference for the Governing Council, he cautioned strictly against playing politics in the management of the centre and encouraged the team to strive for success.
“Each of you has come with tremendous experience, particularly the Rector. Her work has left no one in doubt of her capability, particularly the last two books she has released. She has been chosen on merit, and we expect her to take charge and put together a great team to lay a solid foundation for the Centre.
He further spoke on the collaboration of the school with the University of Lagos with the projected vision to make it a University of Technology.
“We have no doubt that everything that we have in that Centre, working with the University of Lagos, we have what it takes to become a University of Technology. That’s why you have been selected,”.
The Board has Obong Churchill Udoh as Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Enoidem Usoro as Rector, Mr. Aniedi-Abasi Udofia, Registrar, with the Commissioners for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebiet, Labour and Manpower Planning, Mr Aniefiok Nkom, Agriculture, Dr Mrs Offiong Offor as well the Chairman, Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, (AKICORP) Mr Ide Owodiong, to serve as members.
Speaking on behalf of the board, the Chairman Obong Churchill Udoh appreciated the Governor for the confidence reposed on them and pledged to put in their best for the success of the centre.
On her part, the Rector, Professor Enoidem Usoro commended the Governor for finding her worthy to serve, noting that though the task ahead is enormous, they were ready to surmount every hurdle and ensure that their responsibilities are effectively carried out in the interest of the people.
Also speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the leader of the delegation from the University of Lagos where the Centre has affiliation, Professor Sunday Adebisi commended Governor Eno for his leadership style and commitment to the growth and development of his people, assuring of the necessary support for the centre to grow and achieve its purpose of training world- class entrepreneurs.
The Centre has state-of- the art equipment to teach agric-business, civil-technologies; fashion and lifestyle business, and sports among others.
The Inauguration of the Governing Council apparently signals the commencement of the school which has for a long while kept potential students and the community and environs on a waiting game.