Eruwa Town in Oyo State was at a standstill earlier today as Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa held its combined maiden convocation ceremony since its establishment as a satellite campus of The Polytechnic Ibadan in 1982 and its assumption of autonomy in 2014.
No fewer than 8,000 graduands across the four faculties of the institution were awarded National Diploma and Higher National Diploma certificates at the Combined Convocation ceremony.
Also, some selected outstanding personalities were conferred honorary certificates.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Professor Adebowale Abiodun Ojo, appreciated the state government for their continuous support, assuring them that the school will continue to justify the trust reposed in the leadership.
He advised the graduating students against getting on negative terrains such as internet fraud, drug addiction, hooliganism, and other social vices.
Speaking further, he added that the number of graduates from the institution is increasing astronomically. He further appealed to the government to look into putting substantive management in place as well as intervention in terms of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
He then used the opportunity to announce that the Council has proposed May 19 of every year to be the Convocation Day of the institution.
Also, the Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Olugbade Adewuyi Akinteye, stated that the combined Convocation ceremony is for 6 sets, vis-à-vis 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, and 2020/2021 academic sessions.
He appreciated the continuous support of the state government and reeled out the achievements of the management, which include accreditation of more programmes, construction of an ICT center, Faculty of Science building, and Management building, installation of 70 solar-powered streetlights (TETFUND), and construction of two 250-capacity lecture rooms (sponsored from IGR).
While congratulating the graduands, he equally charged them to be responsible and contribute their quota to the development of their respective communities and human society at large as true ambassadors of AOPE.
Dr. Akinteye appealed to the state government to appoint more permanent staff, especially from its pool of highly qualified and experienced part-time workers awaiting conversion as well as assist the school with more lecture rooms and laboratories, considering the increasing number of admitted students.
Also at the occasion was the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Bayo Lawal who represented Governor Seyi Makinde.
In his speech, he appreciated the institution’s management for the feat. He equally charged the graduands to be of good conduct.
“Dear graduands, I want to be convinced that this institution has been able to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and ideas you require to flourish in the world beyond the classrooms. Remember that, alongside your academic credentials, you will also be judged based on the content of your character and your capacity to demonstrate core life skills,” he said.
He then promised, on behalf of the government, the school more support and inclusion in Omituntun 2.0, with a special focus on the demands made by the Chairman, Governing Council and Acting Rector of the institution to sustain the institution as one of the most sought-after in Nigeria.
Thereafter, the Acting Registrar of the institution, Mr. Dele Oladipo conferred on the graduands their respective certificates. Also, Fellowship Awards were conferred on personalities such as Asiwaju Fadairo, Asiwaju of Eruwaland, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), and Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat for their numerous contributions to the institution and society.
Responding to the conferment of honour, Engr Ikotu promised employment for six best students—two each from Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Electrical/Electronics Engineering departments.
Similarly, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat donated a sum of one million naira to the school and promised to upgrade the institution’s mass communication studio in addition to provision of studio digital camera and sound recorder.
Posthumous awards were also conferred on Late Rt. Hon. Mokolade Gbolagunte, former Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Late Prince Gbaye Adewuyi, and Late Dr. Yombo Awojobi.
The occasion was immediately followed by dust turning of the foundation laying of Alumni Building.
Dignitaries in attendance at the occasion, which was held at the institution’s Sports Field, include His Excellency Bayo Lawal, Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Hon. Demola Ojo, Deputy Chief of Staff, Barr. Abdulraheem Abiodun, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), the Lagos PDP Gubernatorial candidate in 2023 General Elections, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM, Justice Akinteye, Chief J.A. Peluola, Chairman of Eruwa Council of Elders, Hon. Gbenga Obalowo, the Executive Chairman of Ibarapa East Local Government, among others.
