Oyo govt missing as Ayede Poly unveils roll call of notable donors
Yinka ADETUNJI
It has been revealed that the Oyo state state government has not been able to contribute much towards the growth and development of the fledgling Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Ogbomoso, Oyo state.
This is despite efforts by the management of the institution to seek assistance from the state government.
This came to light Friday at the maiden matriculation ceremony of the polytechnic held at its temporary site at the facility of the National Youth Development Centre (NDYC), Iresapupa, Surulere local government. Though a federal government institution it is not out of place to contribute to its development in the area of infrastructures and what have you since it is in turn contributing to the economic and educational development of the state in particular as well as providing job opportunities.
Ayede Poly was one of the polytechnics founded in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. It admitted its pioneer students in the 2022/2023 academic session numbering 211 who were matriculated Friday, August 4. It started with four National Diploma programmes approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) though it had initially hoped to take off with 13 viz Computer Engineering Technology, Computer Science, Science Laboratory Technology and Statistics.
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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,” stated the rector, Engr. Dr. Taofeeq Adekunle Abdul-hameed, while speaking at the matriculation ceremony.
In another breath, he said, “Our students will experience innovation and enterprise with a difference in this era of entrepreneurship and self-reliance campaign. Let me add that there are a lot in pipeline and very soon, you all will see that our main business is to produce employable graduates and job creators.”
The institution is not an ingrate as the rector subsequently reeled out names of individuals and organizations that had contributed significantly to its successes thus far. The list though is not exhaustive and so he beseeched those not included to forgive him.
“This address will not be complete without specially recognizing the gigantic contributions of the following people and organizations.”
He added however, “If a name is missing here it is out of forgetfulness, please, forgive us.”
The roll call as unveiled by him is reproduced here. This is as some of the contributions of the individuals and groups are mentioned in passing.
i. The immediate past Governing Council of the Polytechnic – The rector recalled the pioneer Council led by Professor Dakas C.J. Dakas Ph.D. SAN did a yeoman’s job in putting the institution on a strong footing. He said Dakas often mentioned that from his discussions with other governing council chairmen none of its contemporaries had gotten near Ayede Poly’s attainment. The council meanwhile had been dissolved.
ii. The Ogbomosoland Consultative Council (OCC) – Donated laptops and office equipment.
iii. Ogbomoso Pivotal Club – Donated N1m for renovation of Senator Ayoade Adeseun ICT Centre being used by the polytechnic at Owode.
iv. The Aresa Pupa of Iresa Pupa, His Royal Majesty Oba Moses Olayiwola JP Ajiboye III – The monarch facilitated some projects including a block of large lecture room boasting an office and three toilets (completed) funded by Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc at the instance of Alhaji Lamidi Monsur Ayoade Ejide; a block of two classrooms with toilets (ongoing) donated by Mr. Festus Oladejo Ajani, CEO of Food Solutions International Ltd, Ikeja, Lagos; a block of three classrooms with twelve toilets donated by Alhaji (Chief) Alimi Sarumi, the first Basorun Musulumi of Ogbomosoland; and donation of Iresa Pupa Community Health Centre for the polytechnic community.
v. The Onpetu of Ijeru, His Royal Majesty Oba Sunday Oyediran JP, Lagbami Osekun III – The monarch facilitated a visit of the university management to the Oyo state governor Engr. Seyi Makinde in December 2022 to solicit state government’s assistance for the school.
vi. The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao
vii. Major General Oladayo Popoola (rtd)
viii. Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, High Chief Sunday Dare – Donated the first bus to the institution and facilitated the release of the NYDC as takeoff site (temporary site) additionally ensuring allocation of about N100m for rehabilitation of the centre to facilitate takeoff.
ix. Senator Yunus Akintunde – Trying to facilitate projects.
x. Senator Abdul-Fatai Omotayo Buhari – Facilitated Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III ICT Centre at Oke-Owode handed over to the polytechnic.
xi. Senator Amzat Ayoade Adeseun – Apart being the initiator and facilitator of the polytechnic, he released four flats for accommodation purposes for three to four years.
xii. Dr Saka Adegbite Balogun
xiii. The former Board Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Professor Adeolu Akande
xiv. Honourable Olusegun Dokun Odebunmi (Bunvic)
xv. Architect Sakiru Suara Morafa – He facilitated the construction of administrative block at the temporary site by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing as well as exit gate with 30m perimeter fence at the permanent site at Ayede. He is also looking into facilitating construction of access roads at the permanent site.
xvi. Alhaji Lamidi Monsur Ayoade of Ejide Entreprises – As stated above via Aresa of Aresa Pupa.
xvii. Mr. Festus Oladejo Ajani, the C.E.O. of Food Solutions International Ltd. Lagos – As stated above via Aresa of Aresa Pupa.
xviii. Alhaji (Chief) Alimi Sarumi, the first Basorun Musulumi of Ogbomosoland – As stated above via Aresa of Aresa Pupa.
xix. Barrister Olusegun Adekunle – The retired Federal Permanent Secretary provided free transport for the management team of the polytechnic anytime the team was in Abuja. He also played crucial role in the final approval of the institution.
xx. Professor Segun Ajiboye – The Executive Secretary of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) played crucial role in the final approval of the school.
xxi. Professor Adeshola Adepoju – The immediate past Director General of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) facilitated the donation of Agroforestry Enterprises Centre at the permanent site.
xxii. Professor ROM Olatunde Kalilu – Made great efforts to design the institution’s logo. He reportedly brought in two or three other Professors of Art to accomplish the feat. Every item on the logo the current Acting Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso reportedly explained had its meaning, as an instance, the shining light in the logo foretells that any graduand of the institution will radiate light just as he notes that the green colour is associated with success.
xxiii. Professor Alice A. Jekayinfa – A bastion of advice to the management.
xxiv. Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) – Involved in several ongoing capital projects at the permanent site.
xxv. LAUTECH and National Directorate of Employment Centre at Onipaanu – Assisted during Resource Inspection by the NBTE in 2022.
xxvi. The entire Ogbomoso Community
Appeal to Oyo state government and others
On a final note, the rector appealed for greater assistance from philanthropists, associations, communities and governments in order to move the polytechnic forward.
“I enjoin the host communities to remain cooperative … Our appeal goes to the local, state, national and international communities, as well as groups and philanthropists to come to our aid on infrastructural development like good road networks and electrification in our permanent and temporary sites.”
To the Oyo state government, “As our host, I humbly call on the Oyo state government ably led by the People’s Governor, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, FNSE, to come to our aid in these regards and most importantly in the area of security. It is a truism that there cannot be meaningful development without maximum security. The security of staff and students for instance, will not be taken for granted. We will appreciate if we have security offices, personnel, gadgets and equipment in our permanent site for effective take-off of operations there.”
Meanwhile, taken on by pressmen after the event, Abdul-hameed further commended the Oyo state governor expressing confidence the state government will make input into the institution.
“I want to sincerely appreciate His Excellency, Governor Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde FNSE for his assistance so far, he has been trying wonderfully well but like Oliver Twist we are still asking for more. We still want him to come to our aid in respect of the technical college which he has promised he is going to give to us, but we need documentation, formal letter from him, road network to our permanent site, provision of buses, our students, by next academic session, the population will still swell up so we need buses to convey them for their practicals and some other activities. So, whatever he can do to assist us, we will be so glad about that.”
Asked to clarify if it could be inferred from his responses that so far nothing had been received from the state government, he countered, “I won’t say nothing has been received from the state government, the mere fact that we are here we are enjoying peace, security-wise, he has provided security but like l said, more is still needed.”
