Nigeria (Federal Polytechnic Oko) Fed. Poly Oko wins Cisco Outstanding Award in ICT
The light of the graduands of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State can be said to have deemed brighter following the recent declaration of the institution as the 2022 top performing Cisco Networking academy award for the 4th consecutive time.
The prestigious Cisco award to the Federal Polytechnic Oko was in recognition of the institution’s outstanding performance in curricular excellence and academy growth.
Interestingly, the Rector of the institution, Engr. Dr. Francisca Unoma Nwafulugo also emerged the 2022 Cisco Rector of the year for her passion and commitment to digital skills and entrepreneurship development.
For this feat attained by Fed Poly Oko, Cisco Networking Academy, which is a global Information, communication and technology education program, gifted the institution with CCNA equipment which comprised of two Cisco Routers and Switches valued at N3. 5 million.
While presenting the award to the Rector at her office, the Cisco Networking Academy General Manager in charge of Nigeria and South Africa, Imoh Akpan explained that Federal Polytechnic, Oko was awarded the 2022 Top Performance Cisco Networking Academy for their outstanding performance in Academy Growth and Academy Curricula Excellence.
“We also recognized the Rector of the institution, Engr. Francisca Nwafulugo for her passion and dedication to the Institution’s continuous commitment to curricular excellence and contributions to the future success of Networking Academy students”
Akpan also commended the dedication and passion of the Institution’s management team and instructors to the success of the program.
Recall that TETFUND, in 2016, established Cisco Networking Academy program at Federal Polytechnic, Oko for high quality ICT training, industry certification and entrepreneurship development.
Federal Polytechnic Oko has continued to excel in digital skills training, thereby achieving TETFUND’s goal of setting up the Academy in providing human capacity building and entrepreneurship development.
Fielding questions from journalists after the presentation, the General Manager, Mr. Akpan further explained that Cisco Networking Academy is a career building program for learning institutions and individuals worldwide, adding that Cisco Networking Academy has changed the lives of 15.1 million students in 180 countries in 24 years, by providing education, technical training, and career mentorship.
“Many graduates have achieved successful ICT careers in a variety of industries, while others have harnessed the entrepreneurial spirit and knowledge they acquired in Networking Academy to start their own businesses and create new jobs.
“The program” according to him, “transforms the lives of learners, educators and communities through the power of technology, education and career opportunities. Cisco Networking Academy is the world’s largest classroom, bringing tech education, 21st-century skills, and improved jobs prospects. With over 12,000 academies across the globe, Networking Academy helps individuals prepare for industry-recognized certifications and entry-level information and communication technology (ICT) careers in virtually every type of industry.
“Students develop foundational skills in ICT while acquiring vital 21st-century career skills in problem solving, collaboration, and critical thinking,” he said.
In appreciation, the Rector, Engr. Nwafulugo commended the ICT Giants for their transparency, expressing joy that her institution beat other polytechnics and universities in Nigeria to emerge top for four consecutive times.
“I am privileged to be surrounded by good people. Our principal officers, deans and directors are all committed people. I want to commend our ICT director, Engr. Ken Nnamani for attracting these goodies for the institution. He is the man behind the mask. He nurtured our ICT academy to maturity”
The ICT director of the institution, Engr Ken Nnamani in turn, commended the school management for the support given to him and his team.
“This kind of recognition has eluded us over the years but we were able to pull through because of the support the ICT directorate often gets from the management,” he said