By John Odunayo
The National President, Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti Alumni Association, Dr Oyedokun Abiodun, has lamented the damage done to facilities of their alma mater by rainstorm.
Abiodun, who spoke at a press conference in Ado Ekiti lamented that “The damage runs into several millions of naira but thank God no life was lost. The storm was so strong that some buildings were almost pulled down”.
He said that “in view of this natural disaster, the FPA Alumni Association donated the sum of N5m to the school as her widow’s mite towards the repair of the damage”.
The rainstorm incident occured in April, 2024.
Recall that the alumni association in January 2024 handed over two newly constructed blocks of hostel buildings to the institution while a two-storey hostel project of the association is underway as part of efforts to solve accommodation problem of the students.
The alumni president also called on the Federal Government to provide adequate modern equipment for polytechnics for students to undergo the practical which polytechnic products are known for and as well increase fundings to the institutions to reposition.
Abiodun appreciated the alumni chapters in Rivers, Delta, FCT, Lagos, Oyo, Ekiti and Europe for their financial support as he appealed to some members who had made promises “to please come to the aid of the institution because the government cannot do it alone”.
The alumni president also hailed the Rector, Dr Temitope Alake, saying, “He has kept the school running peacefully without crisis, the new innovations he has introduced into the learning system is yielding good result. He is a worthy alumnus”.
He appealed to the Federal Government “to urgently ensure elimination of the dichotomy between HND (polytechnic) and BSc (university) graduates to further encourage our students in the polytechnic system.
“We are appealing that the governments should not allow polytechnics education to suffer. They should equip the institutions so that they can be more sound practically. We strongly believe that polytechnic products will be self-sufficient, self-reliant. Most of them will not look for white-collar jobs. They can always be on their own,” he said.
Abiodun, speaking on other areas of need of the polytechnics, said, “We want the establishment of National Polytechnics Commission. We want Polytechnics to be upgraded to degree awarding institutions without changing the initial structure. Let them remain Polytechnics.
“In China, about 600 universities were converted to polytechnics because they realized that it is only through the polytechnics that they can advance. We want the polytechnics to remain in structure,” the alumni president said.
