Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State 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.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
