Friday, April 4, 2025 - Youths in Ogun State, on Thursday, appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun, to see to the completion of the abandoned Ogun State Polytechnic located in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.
In July 2017, the National Board for Technical Education
(NBTE) approved the creation of the new polytechnic under Ibikunle Amosun’s
administration.
The institution, which was to commence operations in
November with 42 courses already accredited, came as a result of Amosun’s plan
to upgrade the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in Abeokuta to a university.
The former governor built some blocks of classrooms,
administrative blocks, hostels, lecture theatres, and others, all at various
levels of completion.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, on assumption
of office in 2019, reversed the upgrade of MAPOLY and returned the polytechnic
to Abeokuta.
Meanwhile, he assured the residents that the institution
established by his predecessor would not be scrapped and promised to also
establish a university campus in the local government.
However, youths in the local government on Thursday, armed
with placards carrying inscriptions such as “Don’t Abandon Ogun Polytechnic in
Ipokia”, “Write Your Name In Gold With Ogun Polytechnic Ipokia”, “ Gov Abiodun
Fulfill Your Promise On Ogun Polytechnic Ipokia”, among others, begged the
governor to fulfill his promises and write his name in gold by turning the site
into a viable tertiary institution.
They lamented that the abandoned institution which was once
a beacon of hope for many, had begun to decay, with its roofing and ceiling
sheets falling off and classrooms becoming a hideout for suspected criminals.
Speaking to newsmen, Chairman of the Ipokia Youth
Development Council, Tunji Idowu, reminded the governor of his promises to them
in 2023.
He said, “The presence of a higher education institution in
Ipokia promises not only to enhance educational opportunities but also to spur
economic development, create jobs, and foster a culture of innovation and
growth in our communities.
“When Your Excellency visited Ipokia in January 2023, you
promised to see to the take-off of the institution, asserting that Ipokia
deserves something higher than a polytechnic.
“You stated that since the government is a continuum, every commonwealth
that had been invested and capable of positively impacting the socio-economic
lives of the people would not be discontinued.
“Sir, you expressed determination to upscale what was on the ground to
become a befitting and standard tertiary institution. We are still waiting for
fulfilment of this promise.”
Similarly a lecturer at the Lagos State University, Dr Yakub Oyebo, who is
an indigene of Ipokia, disclosed that indigent youths of the area are denied
access to high learning due to the cost involved in relocating to places like
Abeokuta, Ijebu, Lagos, Ibadan, and others.
When contacted, the Commissioner for Education in Ogun State, Prof Abayomi
Arigbabu, asked our correspondent to send a text.
However, he is yet to reply to the message as of the time of filing this
report.
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