* Alumni praise Tinubu for appointing youth, taking care of future
By John Odunjo
The Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti and the Alumni Association of the institution have hailed President Bola Tinubu for the appointment of a product of the institution, Ayodele Olawande, as a minister.
The Rector, Dr Temitope Alake, said the appointment of Olawande, who obtained National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Civil Engineering from the institution as Minister of State for Youth, “is attestation to the quality of products of FPA”.
Alake, also an alumnus of the institution, spoke in Ado Ekiti on Saturday at a press briefing organised by the Alumni Association to congratulate Olawande on his appointment and as well appreciate Tinubu for the gesture.
The Rector said, “We appreciate President Bola Tinubu for considering one of our own worthy and appointing him to the exalted position. It gladdens our hearts to know that a member of this association is found worthy”.
Alake, who congratulated Olawande on the honour, advised him to be a good ambassador and to look back at his root and consider the students by thinking of what he could attract to assist growth of his alma mater.
The National President of the Alumni Association, Oyedokun Abiodun, described Olawande as “a great alumnus with good pedigree and impeccable integrity. He is doing well and he has added another colour to this union”.A
Abiodun said, “On behalf of the Alumni Association, I felicitate the Minister, Hon. Ayodele Olawande. I also appreciate President Tinubu for appointing this our member to this position.
“When you appoint youth, you have taken care of the future in terms of sustainability. President Tinubu has done well. Olawande’s appointment shows that President Tinubu is an incurable talent hunter. The quality of the youth being brought on board suggests conscious national succession plan”.
In his testimony, a former Head of Civil Engineering Department, Dr Elijah Abe, said “Olawande exemplified selflessness while he was here. Anyone who is ready to lead must be ready to serve”.
Abe implored him to view his appointment as a patriotic duty, focused in serving his homeland selflessly and advancing the cause of the Nigerian youths rather than self-enrichment.
He equally urged the Minister to see his appointments as opportunities to display the invaluable virtues of dignity, integrity, and probity inculcated in him during his undergraduate days at the institution.
