Our plans for drone production on course—Ogun Rector

The Rector of Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Dr Abiodun Oluseye, said on Wednesday that the polytechnic’s desire to begin manufacturing drones, and air conditioners, among others, before the year runs out has not been abandoned.

Oluseye has equally demanded the support of corporate organisations and grants from both organisations and public-spirited individuals, saying that funding higher education all over the world is not entirely left to the government.

The Rector disclosed this while speaking with journalists at a surprise programme organised by the polytechnic to mark his one year in office.

Oluseye, who was speechless with the whole surprise arrangement without getting a whiff of it, was full of commendations for the entirety of the polytechnic for the “successful coup”.

He said, “I never knew a day like this would come because, after my appointment, I resumed the work I have been employed to do. I was just doing what I thought was best for the institution through prudent management of resources.

“In the last one year we have been able to have a new gatehouse for the institution, we have constructed a road from the gate into the school, and people usually have a hectic time driving on this road, especially when it rains before it is asphalted. The welfare of the staff is also paramount and so their salaries and other emoluments are paid as and when due
“We have equally added more buildings and built modern toilets to discourage open defecation. We have not only succeeded in achieving 100% accreditation for our existing 36 programmes; we have also added 10 new academic programmes and very soon, we hope to go into agriculture to support the nation in food production, we have lots of arable land for that as well.”

Oluseye explained further that “Our vision to be at the forefront of technological advancement that will further make life better for all is much on course, as I speak to you training of our people on robotics and manufacturing of drones is ongoing and just very soon, this dream will become a reality.

“I only sincerely pray that we get more grants and support from the corporate organisations, the government is trying but higher education all over the world thrives better with grants from public-spirited individuals and organisations..we can do a lot more with such support.”

Oluseye explained that he was flabbergasted by the outpouring of commendations and love from the entire polytechnic for the honour done to him.

He said, “What else can I do rather than roll up my sleeves and be ready to do more for the institution with the help of the Almighty God and the cooperation of the staff, the students and the management team? It is the least that I can do to repay this great and unexpected honour”.

Speaking earlier, the former National Vice Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, Dr Timothy Ogunseye said that he was not surprised that the Rector is being celebrated just after one year in office given his track record as a unionist par excellence and brilliant achievements while he was a lecturer at Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro before his appointment.

Dr Ogunseye, a senior lecturer with the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro and member of the institution’s governing council has however urged Oluseye to keep his eyes on the ball and double up efforts to raise the bar of academic excellence in the school with additional academic programmes.

He said, “of importance is the need to change the name of this school from being addressed as an ‘institute’. This name is given a mistaken identity to the school and it is shortchanging the school.

“People tend to think that it is a professional body or training ground for some people when they hear the word institute, whereas it is a blossoming polytechnic with all the facilities and faculties churning out brilliant graduates every year.

“So, I urge the management to think of changing the name to a polytechnic, rather than institute, that is what it is and it doesn’t cause any harm to anyone”.

The Chairman, planning committee of the event, and the Dean of Students Affairs, Olaitan Aminu, said that the staff and students of the polytechnic thought of no other thing to show their appreciation to the Rector other than to put up the surprise celebrations to mark his one year in office.

The president of the alumni of the polytechnic, Kazeem Sholotan, was also full of commendations for the Rector saying that the transformation that the school had witnessed in the last one year was unprecedented and unparalleled.

Other dignitaries at the event were the Oloja Ekun of Igbesa land, Oba Abdulazeez Akinde represented by Chief Musiliu Akinogun, as well as a member of the governing council of the institute, Chief Akeem Adigun, fondly called Socopao among others.