The Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State, on Friday, matriculated 211 pioneer students admitted for the 2022/2023 academic session, promising to produce employable graduates and job creators.
The Polytechnic approved by the Federal Government in 2021 along five others.
Students were admitted into the Schools of Science and Technology as well as Engineering Technology. The epoch-making event had in attendance the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Andrew Adejo, represented by Mallam Bala Adamu of the Department of Polytechnics and Allied Institutions; Aresa Pupa of Iresa-Pupa, Oba Moses Olayiwola Ajiboye III.
Others include: the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Offa, Dr. Kamoru Kadiri; the Provost of Federal College of Education, Iwo, Prof. Rafiu Adebayo; many principal officers of institutions and eminent personalities.
Speaking at the maiden matriculation ceremony held at the Polytechnic’s Iresa-Pupa temporary site in Surulere local government area of Oyo State, the Rector, Dr Taofeek Abdul-hameed, noted that since the establishment of the institution along five others, its management has been tirelessly working to make it a cynosure of academic excellence and entrepreneurship training.
He added that the Polytechnic is envisioned to be a world-class institution for innovative and technical education reputed for adding values to human developments through enterprising and innovative graduates, assuring the students of experiencing innovation and enterprise with a difference in this era of entrepreneurship and self-reliance campaign.
“Let me add that there are a lot in the pipeline and very soon, you all will see that our main business is to produce employable graduates and job creators.”
The Rector, who admitted that the journey has been so tough, challenging, and daunting, however, maintained that the management remained resolute in its approaches toward excellence.
“It is with a sense of humility that I say that of all the Polytechnics established together with ours, none has reached the level we are today. The glory of this, however, is ascribed to God Almighty who has, in His infinite mercies, piloted the affairs of the Polytechnic thus far. In November last year, we invited the NBTE for Resource Inspection and presentation of thirteen (13) National Diploma programmes. We aimed high and this has better positioned us for subsequent exercises, and we are trusting God that more programmes will be approved for us.
“The NBTE approved four National Diploma programmes in Computer Engineering Technology, Computer Science, Science Laboratory Technology, and Statistics for us in two of our schools: Engineering Technology as well as Science and Technology. We are matriculating, today, a total of 211 students. I, therefore, want to sincerely appreciate the NBTE and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for their tremendous role in ensuring that students were promptly admitted. The feast has also been a collective effort of the pioneer Governing Council of the Polytechnic, Management, Academic Board, and the staff generally,” he said.
Enumerating the successes made so far, including the human development and capacity building of the staff, ongoing infrastructure development both at the Polytechnic’s Ayede permanent and Iresa-Pupa temporary sites in Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere local government areas of Oyo state respectively, Dr Abdul-hameed lauded the kind-hearted corporate organisations, individuals and Ogbomoso groups for their efforts towards the development of the institution.
While appealing to the Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, members of the public and philanthropists to support the ongoing developmental efforts of the management, the Rector, however urged the students to avoid social vices such as cultism, examination malpractices, hooliganism, indecent dressing, drug abuse and sexual abuse, as the Polytechnic frowned against immorality and unruly behaviours.
