Oyetola charges tertiary institutions to redouble efforts on functional education entrepreneurship
..Congratulates Osun Poly on 7th combined convocation
…As Rector calls on Nigerians to invest in future of younger generation
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has charged tertiary institutions to redouble their efforts on functional education, entrepreneurship and emplacement of moral standards to get youths to imbibe the right character and skills to meet world’s expectations as leaders of tomorrow.
The Governor challenged Polytechnics to develop a new thinking and restructure it’s curriculum to help the world find a solution to the unprecedented health challenges, huge economic downturn and crass unemployment bedeviling the world.
Oyetola disclosed this on Thursday at the 7th combined convocation ceremony of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, held at the main campus of the institution in Iree, Boripe Local Government area of the State.
The Governor who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Folorunsho Oladoyin said the Polytechnic Iree and others spread across the country must work to be seen as problem solvers which they should be.
Oyetola reiterated the commitment of the present administration to strengthen all the State owned tertiary institutions to deliver qualitative education as a critical anchor to revitalise the State’s economy.
According to the Governor, “I must deeply appreciate this Institution for its role in building leaders of tomorrow. The contributions of the polytechnic to the development of the nation are evident in the waves its graduates are making all over the world.
“Let me however make the point that there is a need for this polytechnic and all its contemporaries in the nation to realise that the uncertainties the world is experiencing as evident in unprecedented health challenges, huge economic downturn and crass unemployment call for sustained new thinking and restructuring of curricular to get the world off its knees.
While explaining the efforts of the present administration in it’s move to reposition the education sector in the State for better results, the Governor said the State Government recently approved the immediate implementation of sixty-five (65) years retirement age for all categories of Staff in the tertiary institutions among others.
He said, “To motivate all our workers, we recently approved for immediate implementation, the cash-backing of outstanding promotions for all categories of workers, and 100per cent implementation of Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) for which the State had already started implementing 90per cent,” he stated.
While congratulating the young graduands on the successful conclusion of their programmes at this polytechnic, the Governor charged them to exude the traits of excellence and become ambassadors of the iconic entity, being found worthy in character and learning.
In his words, the Rector of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Dr. Woye Olaniran called on philanthropists, private organisations, companies and other well — meaning Nigerians to invest in the future of the younger generation.
Olaniran also appealed to them to complement the efforts of the state government to eradicate poverty and unemployment.
The Rector commended the State Government under watch of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for sporadic improvement in education at all levels in the state.
He said, “The reversal of the same uniform policy has led to drastic reduction in indiscipline in secondary schools in the state.”
He charged the graduands to develop themselves and learn new things to remain relevant in their chosen careers.
According to him, “As you graduate today, we expect you to look back with nostalgia at the institution that has given you so much. Join the Alumni Association and contribute to the development of your Alma mata.
“We have continued to have drastic reduction in students’ population with attendant negative implication on our finances. We therefore need the help of State Government in injecting more funds into the system in order to sustain the minimum academic standards laid down by our regulatory body, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
“Our academic staff members have continued to leave in search of greener pastures. Consequently, the number of staff in the Institution has dwindled considerably. We are therefore using this rare opportunity to appeal to your Excellency to kindly approve the recruitment of staff in the Institution,” he added.
