Jubilation As Abiodun Announces N2 Billion Intervention Fund for MAPOLY, Rewards Nine Best Graduating Students with N2.5 Million Each

By: Israel Adeleke, Olufemi Orunsola 

Jubilation rent the air at the Otunba Gbenga Auditorium of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) Abeokuta on Tueday as the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, announced the whopping sum of N2 billion for the interventions of modern infrastructural development and road network within the Ojere campus, in addition to cash rewards of N2.5 Million for nine best graduating students of the state-owned Polytechnic.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the Governor made the announcement while speaking at the 15 combined convocation ceremony of the institution.

Abiodun disclosed that a 5000-seater ultra modern lecture theatre, construction of the road leading to the auditorium of the Polytechnic, the department of accountancy building construction and the new SBMS block as well as constructing and equipping a modern library were among the N2 billion intervention.

In his words, “This total intervention totalled about N2 billion, so we will invest about N2 billion worth of interventions in this institution."

He further explained that the cash reward for the best graduating students, extends from the 2015/2016 through the 2023/2024 academic year while a new bus would be donated to the Polytechnic to commemorate the 15th combined convocation.

According to him, “In our usual manner, we will be celebrating the best graduating students over the years, that means that the students who are best graduating from 2016, I have here a list.

“So, these students will receive a cash prize of N2.5 million each and the icing on the cake is that we will be presenting Moshood Abiola Polytechnic a school bus to commemorate this combined convocation."

The Governing Council Chairman, Emeritus Professor Kamaldeen Balogun expressed profound gratitude to the Governor and his cabinet for prioritizing educational development in Ogun State, noting that but for the interventions of the Governor, the state-owned Polytechnic would have faded into oblivion and never have an opportunity to witness such a glorious day as the 15th combined Convocation ceremony.

In his own address, a visibly elated Rector of the institution, Dr. Babatunde Jolaoso, that the convocation is particularly symbolic as it is the first since 2016 stressing a gap that reflects the challenges the institution has faced in recent years and a testimony of collective resolve to make better as an enviable institution of excellence and reference ensuring that MAPOLY remains a leading Polytechnic of repute in Nigeria.

Jolaoso explained that several portions of the institution’s land are subject to prolonged legal disputes and litigation, urging the state government to support efforts to facilitate a peaceful and lasting resolution to these matters, thereby preventing further delays in developmental projects.

Whilecfelivering the convocation guest lecture, the Chairman /Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, highlighted that the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has introduced a new approach to Nigeria’s foreign policy agenda tagged “4DS ” which she said represents a significant addition, a departure from Nigeria’s Traditional Afrocentric approach.

She revealed that the President’s strategy emphasizes leveraging the Nigerian diaspora, who she said are vital in enhancing the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and their host countries.

A major highpoint of the event was the conferment of fellowship of the Polytechnic on former Ogun Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, the Seriki of Egba land, High Chief Tosin Owolabi Fadare(FCA) and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goal who is former Deputy Governor of Lagos State,Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

Awards of Excellence were also conferred on the Chairman of Adron Homes and Properties Ltd ,Aare Adetola Emmanuel-King and National President of ACCOMORAN, Prince Shamsudeen Apelogun.

Other highpoints of the 15th combined Convocation of the institution were the commissioning of the TETFUND sponsored new edifice built for the School of Environmental Sciences of the Polytechnic done on behalf of the Governor by his Deputy, Engr.Mrs.Noimot Salako-Oyedele and the commissioning of the Sustainablec Development Goals (SDGs) Focused Campus Radio station, MAPOLY 99.7 FM Ojere Abeokuta where the Deputy Governor was ushered into the live studios for a brief interactive session during which she extended her goodwill message to the entire Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta community on the auspicious occasion of the 15th combined Convocation ceremony. 

"It gives me a great pleasure to be here today today, representing His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, at the commissioning of this Radio station which coincides with the 15th combined Convocation of the institution."

Congratulating the entire Governing Council, top management, staff and students of the Polytechnic, the Deputy Governor particularly singled out the graduating students, assuring them that the world is waiting for them to go out there and make a huge difference aa they apply the training, skills and abilities garnered during their education at the Polytechnic.

The 15th Combined Convocation Ceremony of the Polytechnic was graced by many prominent Nigerians among whom were, the National President of MAPOLY Alumni Association, Alhaji Ayinde Soaga, the Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, Honourable Lanre Oyegbola, the National President of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth League, Hon. Lamide Lawal, among other distinguished alumni members.

Also in attendance were: a former Rector of the Polytechnic, Arc. Tokunbo Fowode, a former Registrar, Mr.Emmanuel Adeleye, former Librarian ofvthe Polytechnic Chief Bola Adeosun, among others.