Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has promised to address staff shortage at The Polytechnic, Ibadan towards achieving a robust technological education in the state.
Makinde stated this in Ibadan at the 2023 combined graduation ceremony of the institution for 35th to 38th sets of graduands.
Makinde, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, reiterated the commitment of the state government to technological education and continuous support for the institution.
The governor urged the institution to do more, especially in the area of technological training, science, innovation and creativity.
According to him, those will make the products of the institution self-employed and employers of labour.
He advised the polytechnic to come up with solar solutions to solve its electricity challenges.
“Your works department in conjunction with other relevant departments such as civil Engineering should be able to construct and maintain your road network.
“Required financial support will be given to you through special interventions in support of such initiatives if it is cost-saving coupled with assured durability,” Makinde said.
The governor urged the graduands on creativity and innovations in other to be self-employed and create opportunities that would contribute to the growth of the state and Nigeria at large.
Adelabu, also represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Olusanjo Adebiyi, said the government had given technical education the needed attention.
He prayed that the graduating students would excel in their various endeavors.
Earlier in his address, the Rector of the institution, Prof. Kazeem Adebiyi appreciated the governor for his continuous support to the institution during his tenure.
Showcasing his administration’s scorecards, Adebiyi said he built 72 office spaces for lecturers and the Ibadan Radio Station through the Internally Generated Revenue, (IGR) of the school..
“Our administration created another faculty, which is Faculty of Social Management and Humanities.
“I’m also happy to inform Your Excellency that this management has secured accreditation for eight out of the 11 programmes across three Faculties.
“This is to give wider opportunities to indigenes of Oyo State and other education thirsty Nigerians to have access to new courses outside our traditional academic programmes,” Adebiyi said.
The Chief Executive Officer, Comfort Eduserve and one of the Endowed Prizes donors, Dr Babatunde Olowoore enjoined graduands to continue to work hard and be diligent to contribute to the growth of the society.
He said the prizes were to encourage graduans to advance their studies in the United Kingdom.
In her valedictory speech, the best-graduating student, Wasilatu Alimi from the department of Chemistry urged her colleagues not to rest on their oars but strive to achieve their dreams.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 18,071 students from four graduating sets of 35th, 36th, 37th and 38th of The Polytechnic Ibadan were awarded National Diploma and Higher National Diplomas.
