SANWO-OLU ATTENDS LASPOTECH 27TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY, AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION EXCELLENCE IN LAGOS STATE. ...offers automatic job to best graduating student, as the Polytechnic Graduates 16,315.

It was a memorable day in the history of Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu Campus, on Thursday, March 12, 2020, as the Polytechnic Moderator, Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, visited the school on its 27th convocation and award ceremony, where 16,315 students were graduated. 

The event also had in attendance the presence of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Special Adviser on Education,  Mr Tokunbo Wahab, the 10th Rector of LASPOTECH, Mr Samuel Oluyinka Sogunro, Deputy Rector (Academic), Mr Olumide Olusola Metilelu, Deputy Rector (Admin), Dr. Sikiru Adesoye Adegoke, P.R.O, Mr Lanre Kuye, members of the the Governing Council, Principal Officers, Recipients of Awards, Deans and Directors in LASPOTECH, invited Rectors and Vice Chancellors.

Others are His Royal Majesties, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, ably represented by the Agbaakin of Ikorodu, Otunba (Sir) Ayodele Elesho, Oba Mudashiru Ajibade Agoro, Ranodu of Imota, Oba AbdulSemiu Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Bashir Aremu Sotonwa, Sekumade of Ipakodo, High Chief Musediku Alliu, regent of Ijede, White Cap Chiefs from Lagos, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Otunba (Dr) Saheed Ibikunle, Mr F.O. Lasisi, amongst other notable personalities.

In his eloquent address, the Moderator, Gov. Sanwo-Olu charged the graduands to see their periods of learning in the polytechnic as more than just an effort to obtain certificates. The Governor said the graduates must deploy their knowledge and skills to advance development and prosperity wherever they find themselves. Saying the technical skills received by the graduates must never be seen as a second fiddle to university education, stressing that the polytechnic certificates had equal value and can serve as alternative to university degrees. 

According  to him, “On the education landscape, polytechnics occupy a very important position. They are seen as the bastions of technological innovation and development. As Nigeria strives to join the league of industrialised nations, we must develop industrial capacity, which also means that we must be able to offer to the world goods and services that are of greater economic value.

“Our polytechnics must be properly positioned for these opportunities. Technical education must never be seen as playing second fiddle to university education; both must be seen as equally-placed alternatives for young people on the journey to a productive future. My administration will not allow the Lagos State Polytechnic to lag behind in any way.

“Our vision is to catalyse the development of this polytechnic and make it a world-class tertiary institution that will produce graduates who know and are confident of their place in the demanding world of the 21st century.”

As the graduands were leaving the school to pursue different career paths, Sanwo-Olu charged them to prepare for opportunities that could accelerate their professional elevation after school, stressing that opportunities often hide in the midst of challenges and difficulties.

“Self-development is critical. Stay hungry for knowledge and never rest on your oars. Many of the things people complain about contain opportunities for enterprising people to make a difference,” the Governor said.

Sanwo-Olu also advised the graduands to imbibe positive attitude and show dedication in any area they find themselves, pointing out that nobody would go far in endeavour without character and integrity, which he described as ingredients for a successful career.

“I congratulate you on the successful completion of your learning. You have paid your dues and are now being rewarded with certificates that attest to what you have gained here in terms of knowledge and skills.

“In Lagos State, we will continue to invest heavily in the provision of affordable and quality education in all of our public schools. Let me remind you all that education is one of the cardinal planks of our vision, known as the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda,” he added.

To strengthen the capacity of the school management in administration, the Governor announced that his Government would building a befitting administrative block and a mini fire station in LASPOTECH. Noting that there would be a replica of Public Private Partnership (PPP)-driven accommodation programme in LASPOTECH as currently being done at Lagos State University (LASU).

Speaking earlier, the School Rector, Mr Samuel Olujimi Sogunro, acknowledged the immense support of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for bringing to an end, the six-month-long industrial crisis, which engulfed the Polytechnic in 2019. 

"I want to specially appreciate our amiable moderator, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu who since assumption of office, has demonstrated unflinching support for the polytechnic in its journey and aspiration of attaining excellence. Your presence at this auspicious occasion is a boost of our confidence as it reassures all and sundry of your commitment to the development of Tertiary Education especially technological education," he said.

Sogunro stated that the timely release of the school’s subvention and continuous investment in infrastructure by successive administrations in the State had increased its Webometrics ranking as the 5th Best Polytechnic in the country. He added that efforts were being made to move the polytechnic up in the ranking.

"I am glad to inform you that as an entrepreneurial polytechnic, the curricula have been enriched to strengthen our students and to be self reliant and further enhance food production and security. Five (5) new Directorates were created in our effort to reposition the polytechnic for efficiency and functional service delivery.

"Laspotech as the 5th best Nigeria in the global ranking of the polytechnic by the Webometrics. I am please to announce to you that the polytechnic secured patent rights for three (3) invention by the schools of Engineering and Pure and Applied Science as Fuelless Generator, Automatic Car Jack and Bio- digester. The commencement of the operation of Laspotech 101•9FM Radio Station is girl the purpose of students training in Mass Communication and to also serve the communities within its frequency," Sogunro added.

He therefore appealed to Lagos State government not to relent in its support to the institution toward the actualisation of these need based programmes. He also appreciated the members of the immediate past Governing Council, Management, Academic Board, Staff and Students of the Polytechnic for their cooperation and support in the last fifty seven (57) months. 

Ms Nkechi Alexandra Kingsley, the overall best graduating student of the Lagos State Polytechnic, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.93 on a scale of 4.0, gets an automatic employment offer to work in the school by Gov. Sanwo-Olu. He also offered the valedictorian a cash grant to hone her entrepreneurial skill. Ms Kingsley, who finished from the Department of Chemical Engineering, was the cynosure of all eyes when she stepped out to receive the prizes from the Governor at the 27th convocation of the polytechnic.

A total of 16,315 students in combined sets of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 academic sessions, who completed their programmes in the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND), were graduated by the school, with 598 graduands finishing with distinction. Also, 5,332 graduands finished with Upper Credit; 8,268 with Lower Credit and 2,117 got Pass.

Also, two (2) eminent personalities were later conferred with honorary fellowship award: Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) CON, OFR, Founder Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, and Alhaji Babatunde Tajudeen Rotinwa, Chairman, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission and former Head of Service, Lagos State.

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