The Rector of Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa (OGITECH), Dr. Abiodun Oluseye has described the institution as one of the fastest growing citadels of Technology in Nigeria.
Dr Oluseye who made the declaration during the 6th Combined Convocation Ceremony of the institution yesterday revealed that, all the courses currently running in the institution have been adequately accredited by the National Business and Technical Examination Board and that a total of Nine thousand, three hundred and twenty students were graduating in the 6th Combined Convocation Ceremony.
He noted that the concatenation of successes recorded by OGITECH were made despite the myriads of challenges confronting him when he assumed duties as the third substantive Rector of the Ogun State Institute of Technology on the 28th of August, 2023.
“The first experience was challenging and numbing. The Institute’s land was under siege from land grabbers, there were serious shortage of funds, scary energy bills, unpaid salary and promotion arrears, concern of obsolete curricula, infrastructural deficit, shortage of staff, almost comatose health centre, major buildings not connected to the public power source, 17 courses overdue for the accreditation of the National Board for Technical Education and the need to present 10 additional ones to the body for approval”, the rector narrated.
He added that: “In addition to all these, both the gate and the road into the Institute did not befit its status as a higher institution of learning in the 21st century”.
Dr Oluseye pointed out that the experience was so overwhelming that the question was where to start from as against which one to attend to first but noted that “with the insight of God, the help of the highly supportive Governor of Ogun State, Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun, and the ever committed Governing Council, under the esteemed leadership of the Ag. Chairman, Evangelist Kehinde Akinsoji, the story has changed tremendously”.
The rector was beaming with pride as he noted that the fortune of the school had improved tremendously noting that: “the Institute has even entered into beneficial working relationships with some of the companies which are its neighbours. This has resulted in great industrial collaborations and partnerships which now brighten the career and industrial prospects of the Institute’s graduates”.
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who was impressed by the achievements of the school gifted its best graduating students in the 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 sessions the sum of Two million Naira each.
The Governor noted that the occasion was not only a moment of pride for the graduates, but also for their parents, guardians, lecturers, and everyone who had played a role in shaping their journey.
The Governor represented by his Deputy Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele congratulated the institution on the successful hosting of the event, saying it marks a significant milestone in the lives of the new graduates as they transit from academic pursuit to making meaningful contributions to the society.
Gov. Abiodun stressed that his government recognises the fact that, quality education and innovation were critical to sustainable development in today’s rapidly evolving world, saying this made his administration remained committed towards delivering high quality education that would meet global standards.
He disclosed that institutions such as OGITECH, plays a crucial role in producing skilled workforce that would help in driving industrial growth, economic development and national progress, opining that, it was commendable that, the institution would continue to distinguish itself as a Center of Academic Excellence and technological advancement.
According to him “the quality of education that OGITECH provides, reinforces our administration’s commitment to supporting technical and vocational education as a catalyst for national development, Our building our future together agenda is driven by the belief that education is a foundation for holistic development”
In his Convocation Lecture themed, “Technological Education and the Realities of the Nigerian Industrial Advancement, the Guest lecturer, Prof. Ramon Bello, said the nature of the ongoing Industrial Revolution in the world, would positively influence Nigerian industrial development, noting that, efforts should be placed on the training of more technologically inclined students that would bring about the desired charges for our local tech advancement.
In his remarks, the Acting Chairman, Governing Council of the Institution, Chief Kola Sorinola, charged the graduating students not to forget the values that guarded them throughout their studies, but rather steer the ship of future endeavours.
In his Valedictory speech, the overall best graduating student of the 2023/2024 Academic session, Ismail Olamilekan gave accolades to the institution for the values instilled in them, saying that it had helped shaped them to what they have become, charging his colleagues to remain optimistic, determined and focused as they continue in the journey of life. He said the day marked the end of a phase and also started the beginning of another journey in their lives, enjoining them to be resolute in making something out of themselves.
Among notable personalities who were conferred Honorary Fellowship awards was the wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, who appreciated the institution for honouring her.
