Ogun State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the State Government to consider expediting actions through the allocation of necessary funds for the rehabilitation and operational take-off of the State Polytechnic situated at Ipokia, so as to ensure the completion of all existing facilities by the government and the accreditation of academic programmes of the institution by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for the immediate commencement of academic activities at the institution.
The passage of the resolution titled: “H.R. No. 124/OG/2024-Urgent Call on the State Government to consider the immediate revival and operational take-off of the State Polytechnic, Ipokia”, followed an extensive debate by the State lawmakers and subsequent adoption of the resolution by the Sponsor and member representing Ipokia/Idiroko State Constituency, Hon. Adebisi Oyedele, seconded by Hon Damilare Bello and supported by other lawmakers at a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide.
Earlier while opening debate on the motion, Oyedele, recalled that the polytechnic, was established through a law passed by the State Legislature as part of a strategic educational reform initiative of the State Government.
He sought the need for Government to utilize the existing infrastructure on the site including physical infrastructure like lecture halls, laboratories, administrative buildings and student hostels for the commencement of academic activities in the institution.
Oyedele further advocated for strategic engagement with international educational bodies and border-town stakeholders to promote the Polytechnic, as an academic hub, thereby attracting local and international students, with recommendations for the integration of community stakeholders, including traditional rulers in the institution’s revival process to ensure local ownership and sustainability.
Other lawmakers including Honourables Wahab Haruna, Waliu Owode, Adeyanju Adegoke, Damilare Bello, Babatunde Tella, Musefiu Lamidi and Lukman Adeleye, also spoke in favour of the motion, recalling the coordinated efforts of stakeholders during the ideation stage of the Polytechnic, calling on the present administration to expedite action towards ensuring the commencement of activities in the Polytechnic.
The commencement of academic activities in the institution, they noted would in turn spur economic activities with academic opportunities for the youth in the border communities.
The lawmakers sought the need for more developmental project around the new polytechnic, which would in turn create business and investment opportunities for the people, thereby contributing to human capital development and encourage the teeming youth to venture into lawful business.
They recalled that a committee set up by Governor Dapo Abiodun in September 2019 to look into the matter which was headed by Prof. S. Awonusi and the Secretary ot the Committee then was Dr Waheed Olanloye, urging the government to immediately set machineries in motion to allow the school begin operation in line with the qualitative education policy of government in the State.
Responding, the Speaker called on government to expedite action on the commencement of academic programmes at the polytechnic, directing the House Committee on Legislative Compliance to liaise with the appropriate MDAs to provide more details on all ongoing projects across the State.
