Management of the Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic (IMAP), Lafia, says it has received over 5,000 applications for the available 100 academic and non-academic staff job vacancies approved by the state government.

Rector of the polytechnic, Justina Kotso, made this known when she led the management team before the state House of Assembly Committee on Education on Tuesday in Lafia.

“We have received over 5,000 applications from applicants for the 100 vacancies approved by the government.

“We have screened and have gotten 767 qualified applicants, out of which 400 are first-class degree holders,” she said.

Ms Kotso said that the management had installed solar power in the school’s library and Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre, adding that work on the perimeter fencing had reached an advanced stage to enhance security in the institution.

“We have also strengthened our registration portal to block leakages and wastages,” she added.

The rector called on the students not to allow themselves to be used to perpetrate violence or crisis in the institution but continue to be law-abiding.

She, however, identified funding as a challenge facing the institution.

“Governor Abdullahi Sule is doing his best in taking the institution to the next level of development.

“Like Oliver Twist, we are appealing for more funding, as we are prepared to continue to bring innovations for the overall development of the institution,” she added.

Responding, the committee chairman, Daniel Ogazi, commended the management of the polytechnic for being up and doing in ensuring the development of the institution.

Mr Ogazi (APC – Kokona East) called on the state government to give more attention to the institution’s development.

The chairman said that the committee would continue to collaborate with the government to take the institution to the next level of development.