By Aliyu Musa
The Rector, Kaduna Polytechnic, Professor Idris Bugaje, has cautioned Governor Nasiru El-Rufai against demolishing the 50-year-old popular Panteka market in the state, as he had threatened. He called on the governor to rather declare the market a heritage site; because of its historical background as the oldest and fabrication skills hub in northern Nigeria.
Professor Bugaje made the appeal while speaking at the presentation of Certificates to 33 Quality Assurance Assessors trained under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) which the institution intends to start before the end of 2020.
He said part of those who completed the training in the institute were from the Panteka market.
Bugaje said Kaduna Polytechnic being the oldest Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institution in Nigeria, decided to partner with the old Panteka market in the informal apprenticeship training for the youth.
He added that what the market needs now is restructuring, and not demolition because of its importance not only to the state but to Kaduna Polytechnic.
“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to declare the old Panteka market as a state heritage site, don’t demolish it, make it a heritage site at least for the state.
“If you want to have another site, the old Panteka market should be maintained.
“It would be good if the old market is improved, upgraded, and turned to a heritage site just like what can be found in Newcastle City and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,” he said.
The Rector said if the governor relocates the old market from its current place it would be difficult for people and the institute that is already hoping to expand its skills training to all 38 trades in Panteka and beyond.
In his remarks, the chairman of the Old Panteka Market Association, Alhaji Sule Shehu, thanked the institution for training their youths under the NSQF.