The Federal PolytechnicNekede has effectively keyedinto the backward integrationplan of the Federal Governmentof Nigeria with the production ofcocoyam bread. The cheery news wasdisclosed to the smart Rector of theinstitution, Engr. Dr M.C. ArimanwaFNSE, at the viva of the final yearstudents of Hospitality ManagementTechnology, held recently at theDepartmental Block.The Head — Department ofHospitality Management Technology,Mr Ifeanyi Uzomba, who made thisdisclosure also informed the Rectorthat students who did the projectequally undertook the processing ofthe flour from cocoyam, stating thatthe Polytechnic was the first in thehistory of pastry-making in Nigeria toproduce cocoyam bread. In the samespirit, the HOD revealed that thestudents also made bread from cassavaflour, thereby giving priority to localingredients, which would at the sametime improve local agricultural valuechain.Apparently impressed with thedevelopment, the Rector congratulatedthe Department for breaking newgrounds in pastry-making, urgingthem to go a notch higher and improvethe packaging of the bread. The Rectoralso challenged the Department to becreative in keying into the revenuedrive of the institution by contributingits quota through the sale of assortedfood and pastry.Meanwhile, the External Examinerof the Department, Mr. StephenOnyeabor, has praised the Rectorfor building sustainable educationalinfrastructure that is aimed atimproving the academic performanceof the students. The examiner,who stated this at the occasion,also expressed his satisfaction withthe sterling performance of thestudents at the practical defence. Heequally applauded the Rector forimplementing the recommendationshe made the previous year when hecame for external extermination,maintaining that the Polytechnic wasindeed a trail-blazer.It will be recalled that the FederalPolytechnic Nekede, under theinspiring leadership of Engr. M.CArimanwa has recorded significantsuccesses in the areas of inventionand innovation. Just recently, thepolytechnic invented a super furnacethat can melt steel in fifteen minutes,an unprecedented speed that has yetto be matched by any other furnace.The last may not have been heard ofmany other inventions on the pipeline.