Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta will soon become a degree-awarding institution following the signing into law, a new polytechnic Act which allows for polytechnics in Nigeria to produce high-level manpower.
The Rector of the institution, Dr. Samson Odedina, disclosed this when the management of the institution visited the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo and the Agura of Gbaguraland, Oba Saburee Babajide Bakre, Jamolu II, in their palaces respectively, to pay homage.
The Rector, who noted that, the 40 years old polytechnic was negotiating affiliation with some notable universities in the country to upgrade the school into degree awarding institution, explained that the support of the traditional rulers in Egbaland as host community could not be undermined.
He said the homage became necessary to appreciate the people of Abeokuta as the host community of the institution, update the royal fathers on the new development in the institution as well as seek more support for the institution.
He therefore thanked the people of Abeokuta for accommodating over 27,000 students of the polytechnic in their respective houses.
“Kabiyesi, we came here today to pay homage officially as the Rector of MAPOLY. Although, I have enjoyed the support of the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland since my reign as Vice Chancellor of a federal university in Nigeria.
“Today, I am happy with my appointment as the Rector of the polytechnic because it’s like home coming for me. We equally came here to appreciate the Kabiyesi for his support at all times for MAPOLY and the good people of Egbaland have been so wonderful by accommodating our over 27,000 students.
“We want the Egba traditional council to continue its support for MAPOLY because we have capacity to admit 33,000 students and there is a committee in place to ensure that the polytechnic becomes a degree awarding institution in the next six months.”
He said the institution would also begin courses in Agricultural Technologies and Fisheries as a way to key into the government policy of agro-based job opportunities.
The Rector said MAPOLY was cited on 9000 hectare of land and would use the land to expand agro-based job opportunities as well as expand in entrepreneurship centre to increase job creators in the country.
Odedina noted that the MAPOLY had produced notable people in the country and would not relax in promoting quality education and producing job creators instead of job seekers.
In his remark, Oba Gbadebo commended the polytechnic’s management for re-branding the face of the institution and making it conducive for learning.
He tasked the management to work tremendously on curbing social vices in the institution.
Meanwhile, the Agura of Gbaguraland, who is also an alumnus of the institution appreciated the management for the honour and promised the support of the people of Gbaguraland to the institution at all times.
