Kehinde Ayanboade,
Ibadan.
Excitement fill the hearts of graduants and parents at the 34th convocation ceremony of The Polytechnic, Ibadan held at the school’s North Campus Sport Pavilion on Friday, 13th of December, 2019.
The ceremony which was attended by Academia, Parents and guardian, and student of the institution hosted the Governor of Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde, Oyo State commissioner for Education, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, Chairman House Committee on Education, Hon. Oluwafemi Fowokanmi and other great personality from all spheres of the country.
The Governor of Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde who was ably represented by the state commissioner for Education in is address maintained that electricity is a major problem confronting tertiary institution in Nigeria adding that the epileptic situation of power supply in the country has done a lot of harm to its socio – economic growth inspite the huge share of funds allocated to this sector.
He reiterated the neccesity of a stable power supply as a vital tool needful to both students and lecturer for laboratory experiments as well as late academic exercise in the institution.
Makinde added that his administration is prepared to confront the multifaceted problem facing educational sector in Oyo state in order to make it an educational role model state that will be emulated by other states in terms of qualities of personnel and other levels.
He recalled that the education sector got the highest allocation of 22 percent in the 2020 proposed budget presented to the Oyo state House of Assembly in November.
“To ensure the accreditation of all courses, the sum of 200 million naira was approved and released to your institution.
We have also approved a sum of 100 million naira in 2020 budget for the execution of capital projects in the institution.
All these from the records available to me has not happened in this institution in the last 10 years”. He said.
The Governor further appealed to wealthy individuals, corporate organization and professional bodies to corroborate the effort of the government in upgrading the facilities in Oyo State owned educational institutions.
Speaking on the qualification discrimination between university and polytechnic graduates, Makinde decry the fact that the discrimination is virtually in all sectors including the civil service where polytechnic graduates cannot rise beyond a certain level or aspire to become permanent secreataries in government organizations.
He however note the importance of Polytechnic educational system as a vital agent to the industrial and technological development of the country.
He however commend the management, members of staff and students of the institution for providing an enabling environment for learning and teaching.
The Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Prof. Kazeem Adebiyi in his address stated that the welfare of students and members of staff is very Paramount to the management of the institution.
Prof. Adebiyi noted that the school was rated as the best state polytechnic in Nigeria and the 4th best in the entire country in the last rating of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), adding that the management are striving to make the institution the best not only in Nigeria but in Africa and the whole world.
While felicitating with the graduands, he admonished them to endeavour the spirit of tolerance, high moral standard and dedication in their future deeds.
He described the Governor of Oyo state, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde as a “one Governor that has made education his priority” he appreciate his love and commitment for education.
The overall best student of the institution for the graduating academic session, Abdul-Ganiyy MubarakOlayiwola while addressing the newsmen at the ceremony expressed his profound gratitude to almighty God for the success of his polytechnic education.
Abdul-Ganiyy who is a graduating student of the Applied Chemistry department attached his award as the best student in his department and the school at large to his readiness, dedication, and dedication while he was still a student.
He enjoined all students of the institution to study hard, dream big and pray to God in all ramifications.
He was also offered an automatic employment by a chemical industries, he said he will think later if he will accept the offer or not.
Winner of the endowed prize and best student in Print Journalism is George Osele Emmanuel while Olowoyeye Agnes Oluwafunmibi emerged as the overall best student in Mass Communication.
Meanwhile, The Polytechnic, Ibadan will clock 50 years by March, 2020 and the institution intends to celebrate it.
