In One Year, NITT Boss, Bayero records Giant Strides in Office
BY Victoria Ogunrinde
The Director General/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) Zaria, Dr. Bayero Farah achieved giant strides in repositioning the institute in just a year of assumption in office.
Following his assumption as the Substantive Director General/Chief Executive of NITT Zaria on Monday 13th January, 2020, Dr. Bayero rolled out a change initiative with a view to revolutionise the Institute’s programmes and services in line with his change agenda.
This gave birth to a well-attended Retreat in Kaduna in September 2019 during which the new face of NITT was unveiled with a clear-cut direction.
The magnitude of the initiative and event had in attendance the Honourable Minister of Transportion, RT. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, NITT Council Members, Management and transport stakeholders from various transport modes.
His accomplishments for the period in review are numerous and not limited to the following: Streamlined the NITT Enabling Act, Conditions and Schemes of Service, broadened the scope of the Institute’s programmes and collaborations amongst others things with assistances from the relevant authorities.
Increased participation on the Institute’s short and long term programmes.
Renovated, furnished and equipped the NITT Main Auditorium, The Institute Library, The 20-Room Executive Hostel, The Masters in Transport & Logistics Classroom and the NITT Clinic which was renovated and expanded in scope and operation to meet not only the Medical needs of the Institute Community but inclusive of those of members of the public.
Dr. Bayero is currently working to give the Clinic NHIS status after decades of unsuccessful attempts to make the dream a reality
Similarly, he approved the establishment of New Liaison Offices: Prior to his assumption of office, NITT only had three operational liaison offices located in Lagos, Abuja and Port-harcourt. Under his watch, construction works were completed in liaison offices in Eboyin, Kano, and Gombe while training equipment needed to commence delivery of programmes were also supplied.
However, construction works in upcoming liaison offices in Ekiti and Kankara in Katsina States are on-going.
He also acquired a 84-hectare parcel of land from Kaduna State Government to establish Institute’s JATHROPA FARM initiative plus another 40-hectare of land, secured from Sabin Gari Local Governmet in Zaria towards building more workshops for the Institute.
His leadership acumen has spurred him on the verge of securing the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) Accreditation for running of National Diploma programmes in Crane Operations, Welding and Fabrication and Mechatronics in the Institute.
He also ensured an improved training and re-training of staff for better delivery of programmes to clients.
Dr. Bayero also constructed a new car park for official and staff vehicles while securing the right to host RIGAN Games 2021 at the NITT in Zaria.
Furthermore, he up-graded Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities in the Institute, a move that has improved the efficiency of internet and social media services in the Institute.
Purchased fleet of brand new vehicles to meet the Institute’s logistics needs and renovated sports facilities in the Institute with plans to purchase new sports equipment.
Ramped up advertising and promotion of NITT activities and programmes in mainstream and social media, etc.
Commenced construction works on Driver Development Centre in each of the six Geo-political zones in the country. Ensure Completion of construction works in the NITT Phase II Participants’ Hostel.
Completed construction works in the DG/CE’s new office building.
Enhanced water supply in the Institute by drilling more bore-holes and ensuring efficiency.
Purchased a brand new generator to backup power supply in the Institute.
Made arrangements with Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company for regular maintenance of the Institutes’ 33KV Power Station to ensure regular supply of electricity.
Established and equipped the NITT Multi-media Library with state-of-the-art communication facilities.
Established and equipped the National Transport Data Bank facility in the Institutes with state-of-the-art equipment for real-time collection of transport data across all modes.
Established and equipped the Multi-lingual Library in the Institute with state-of-the-art language translators amongst other things to provide for training of participants from Francophone countries especially.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bayero is still not resting on his oars to taking the institute to limelight has he has ongoing project that will ensure seamless and smooth operation of NIIT.
The new on-going projects include;
Construction of Training Department Office, Construction of Transport School Office Extension, Construction of 2 Transport Technology Centre (TTC) Department Blocks of 6 classrooms a piece and Construction of TTC Wedding and Fabrication Laboratory.
Others include Construction of TTC Soil and Pavement Laboratory, Construction of one new Female Participants’ Hostel
and Construction of one new Male Participants’ Hostel.
The laudable strides of Dr. Bayero’s may not have been possible without the financial support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly the Honourable Minister of Transportation, RT. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as well as the Honourable Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki who stood by him to ensure the reality of the projects.