Earlier today, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa held convocation lecture as part of the activities lined up in celebration of its maiden combined convocation ceremony since its nine years of being autonomous.
The convocation lecture titled, ‘Reinventing Polytechnic Education for 21st-century Nigeria’, was delivered by Dr. (Barr.) Festus Adedayo at the institution’s Assembly Hall.
While delivering the lecture, Dr. Festus highlighted the major challenges of Nigeria polytechnics, ranging from lack of funding to deterioration of infrastructure, low status accorded polytechnics, and lack of appropriate management boards when compared to their universities and colleges of education counterparts.
Going further, he proferred solutions to the myriads of challenges bedeviling Nigeria polytechnics.
“So, the first thing to do if we want to get polytechnic education to become a driver of growth in a 21st-century Nigeria is to defrost the minds of critical stakeholders and governments of this subsisting superiority complex given to the university.
“The second, which flows from the first, is that of funding. I believe that once critical stakeholders are able to wean themselves of the second-fiddle role they cast for polytechnics, it will be easy to properly fund technical/polytechnic Education appropriately in Nigeria so that they can fulfill their foundational goals for the country,” he concluded.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Gbade Akinteye, the Acting Rector of the institution, appreciated the guest speaker for keeping it a date to make it to the event, despite its earlier rescheduling. He equally appreciated the Governing Council for their efforts toward making the event a success.
Finally, he promised to make the convocation ceremony a permanent part of the academic calendar.
The lecture had in attendance several dignitaries, including Governing Council of the institution led by Prof. Abiodun Ojo; representatives of Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance, Mr Adewale and Mr Adebayo, respectively; Chairman, Eruwa Council of Elders, Chief Peluola; Representative of Onilala of Lanlate, Chief Olagboye J.P.; Asiwaju of Eruwaland, Chief Fadairo; Pioneer President, Oyo State Customary Court, Hon. Justice S.A. Akinteye, Provost & Registrar, Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate, among others.
