Buhari Committed to the Development of Science and Technology Education
The commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration towards the promotion and sustenance of Science and Technology Education in Nigeria, as a result of which it is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to make qualitative Technical Education available to the teeming youths, has again been reiterated.
Education Minister, Mallam Adamu Adamu made the emphasis in the Visitor’s address at the 18th Combined Convocation Ceremony and 45th Founding Anniversary of The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti held at the Sports Complex of the Institution on Saturday, 19th November, 2022.
Mallam Adamu Adamu while noting that qualitative Technology Education remains the bedrock of the Technical and Economic Development of any nation, hence the commitment of the Federal Government. He however stated that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of providing education and called on all institutions to strategize and find ways of boosting their revenue base to compliment government effort as well as well-meaning individuals to assist the Polytechnic in sponsoring projects and programmes that enhances effective teaching and learning.
The Minister, who noted that The Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti is succeeding in fulfilling the objectives for which it was established, said it was encouraging to note that within the limits of its scarce resources, the Polytechnic has been able to blaze the trail by producing simple laboratory equipment and glassware. He also emphasized that, “I am further convinced that in no distant future, the Polytechnic could become self-sustaining.”
While assuring that the government would look into the requests of the Polytechnic with a view to giving them prompt response, the Minister thanked the Governing Council and Management of the Polytechnic for their efforts in sustaining the development in the Polytechnic and enjoined them to continue to maintain the peaceful and mutual co-existence prevalent in the Polytechnic.
The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, who was represented at the Convocation event by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro lauded the achievements of the Polytechnic’s Management on the significant level of development in the Institution since it came on board. Governor Oyebanji expressed optimism that the Polytechnic would continue to take giant strides in the quest for the technological advancement of the nation.
While restating his administration’s commitment to the six-point agenda of job creation; human capital development; rural development and infrastructure; industrialization; arts, culture and tourism as well as good governance, the Ekiti State Governor noted that the agenda was tailored towards bringing the desired succor and relief and also make meaningful impact on the well being of the people of the State.
In his welcome speech, the Chairman of the Polytechnic Governing Council, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo noted that the timely accreditation of all the programmes of the Institution by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and other relevant professional bodies is an affirmation and assurance of the quality of education in the Polytechnic as it competes favourably with what is obtained in any part of the world.
The Governing Council Chairman therefore appealed to the Honourable Minister of Education to make a case for the Polytechnic becoming a Degree-awarding Institution, adding that the Institution and its stakeholders would be highly grateful if it could occur during the tenure of Mallam Adamu Adamu as the Minister of Education.
Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo who lauded the outstanding performance of the current leadership of the Polytechnic, noted that the sterling leadership qualities of the Rector had made the work of the Council much easier and assured of the commitment of the Council in ensuring that all appointments in the Polytechnic are based on merit and productivity.
While attributing the peaceful atmosphere in the Polytechnic to the cooperation between Council and Management and operation of open-door policies in decision making, the Council Chairman appealed to the President of the Federation, Honourable Minister of Education, National Board for Technical Education and the Budget office to come to the aid of the Institution through increment and prompt release of capital vote to the institution.
Akogun Oyedepo while expressing his immense gratitude to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the NBTE and other Government Agencies for their contributions towards the development of the Polytechnic, called on well meaning individuals to come to the aid of the institution, as government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of funding education in the country.
In his Convocation Address, The Rector, Dr. Dayo Hephzibah Oladebeye while delivering his Convocation Adress expressed his appreciation to the past Rectors of the Polytechnic for their contributions towards making the Institution what it is today, the Principal Officers for their dedication to the dream and aspirations of the present administration and The Federal Polytechnic Alumni Association (FEDPASS) ably led by Surveyor Oyedokun Abiodun for their unflinching support and co-operation extended to him as the Rector and as an alumni of the Institution as well as the three Staff Unions (ASUP, SSANIP and NASU) for their maturity and understanding and solicited for more of their unalloyed co-operation for the remaining period of his tenure and beyond.
Oladebeye while also congratulating the graduands on their academic attainment admonished them to be good ambassadors of the Polytechnic and take charge of their future.
The Ceremony witnessed the award of Higher National Diploma (HND) and National Diploma (ND), both comprising a total of 13,667 graduands of the 2018/2019; 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 Academic Sessions.
Also at the ceremony, five eminent personalities were conferred with the award of Fellowship of The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti (FFPA). They are: His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR; His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, CON; Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola; as well as two Alumni members of the Polytechnic, Prince (Dr.) Rotimi Benjamin Ibidapo, OON and Surveyor Babatunde Adeleke Fakologbon, FNIS.