FAYEMI PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR POLYTECHNIC GOVERNING COUNCIL

 

By Sesan Jayeola

The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has pledged the support
of his administration for the newly inaugurated Governing Council of
the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti.

Governor Fayemi who spoke through his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi,
while receiving members of Governing Council in his office in Ado
Ekiti on Wednesday also reiterated his call for an upgrade of the Ado
Polytechnic to a degree awarding institution.

In a statement made available to newsmen by the Special Assistant
(Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola stated that the
Governing Council members were led by the Chairman, Akogun Iyiola
Oyedepo and accompanied by the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Dayo
Oladebeye.

Noting that the Governing Council is composed of eminent Nigerians
cutting across all parts of the country, Governor Fayemi expressed
confidence in their ability to turn around the fortunes of the
institution and help provide manpower for the development of the
nation using their wealth of experience.

He said that being chosen out of many qualified Nigerians to sit on
the council is a privilege and a challenge that must be well
acquitted.

The Governor described Ekiti people as lovers and promoters of
education and assured that his administration would rally eminent and
well-meaning indigenes to assist the institution provide more
infrastructures especially hostels to ease students' accommodation
challenges.

"We have prominent indigenes, illustrious sons and daughters who can
help build more hostels and provide other facilities needed because
government alone cannot provide everything.

"We can reach out to them to join hands with the Council and the
Management to take this institution to greater heights. Like I said
when the Visitation Panel visited, we want the Polytechnic to be
upgraded to a degree awarding institution."

On the alleged encroachment of the Polytechnic land, the Governor
promised to liaise with the Rector to perfect the agreement reached
with parties to the matter most especially in producing legal
documents to that effect.

Speaking earlier, the Governing Council Chairman, Oyedepo urged the
Governor to assist in attracting the private sector to invest in the
Polytechnic to build more infrastructures and provision of endowment
funds to lift the institution to greater heights.

Oyedepo explained that only 25 per cent of the student population is
resident on campus while 75 per cent lives outside the campus noting
that more hostels will be needed to make the institution fully
residential to stimulate learning.

He said: "It is necessary to note that the Federal Government cannot
bear the responsibility of providing infrastructural facilities in our
tertiary institutions alone.

"I therefore wish to solicit the support of the state government,
public spirited individuals, private and public organizations in the
provision of facilities such as lecture theatres, workshops,
laboratories, access roads, hostel accommodation, among others."

Oyedepo stressed the importance of science and technology education at
the present stage of the nation's development saying the Council will
work hard to make the Polytechnic a model in that sub-sector.