The Federal Polytechnic Orogun in Delta State on Saturday held her maiden matriculation ceremony with 150 students as the management of the institution has vowed to make it one of the best technological-driven higher institutions in the country.
Speaking at the matriculation ceremony, the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Duke Okoro, appreciated President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Education for supporting the smooth take-off of the institution for its maiden programmes.
Dr. Okoro also commended former President Muhammadu Buhari and immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege for establishing the school and ensuring that critical infrastructure to make the polytechnic one of the best in the country was provided.
He noted that the institution would be technological driven and solution ground for molding next generation of tech graduates in the country.
The Rector noted that though the school was taking-off with three programmes – Departments of Business Administration and Management, Statistics, and Accounting -, he expressed assurance that other programmes would soon be approved.
Okoro urged students to take full advantage of the practical and industry-based skills that the lecturers would impact on them so as to remain good ambassador to the institution.
He charged students to “Remember that our society is transitioning to a knowledge-based economy rather than a certificate-based economy, which leaves no room for indolence, laziness, lack of creativity, or dishonesty among graduates.
“Our mission is to provide digital literacy skills and entrepreneurial education and training to promote self-reliance for societal development.
“Guided by the core values of academic excellence, creativity & innovation, discipline, integrity and honesty, equity and social justice, leadership & mentorship, and meritocracy, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of academic and ethical excellence.
“We anticipate a future with a wide variety of academic programmes spread among three schools: the School of Business Studies, the School of Applied Sciences, and the School of Engineering.
“While we await NBTE’s approval for the other nine programmes, we are excited to begin our academic programmes with the three already approved; Departments of Business Administration and Management, Statistics, and Accounting. We are convinced that these programmes will serve as a solid basis for our pioneering students’ academic journeys.”
“We are actively pursuing approval from NBTE for additional programmes in Computer Science, Marketing, Mass Communication, Science Laboratory Technology, Library and Information Science, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Civil Engineering.
“In addition to our academic offerings, we have established several directorates and centres to support our students’ holistic development. These include the Directorate of Research and Innovation, the Deanery of Student Affairs, the Directorate of ICT, the Directorate of Entrepreneurship Development and Skills Acquisition Centre, and the Directorate of Students Industrial Work Experience.”
In his remark at the ceremony, Chairman, House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda, commended the federal government for the level of infrastructure in the polytechnic.
Laguda, who represents Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, charged Nigerian students to key into the President Tinubu’s Students’ Loan Scheme which he claimed would commence in September this year.
The lawmaker said, “They have started well. The approval for this institution was granted in 2022 by the last regime and you are coming here barely two years after and you won’t come into this institution and say you are not seeing something that is magnificent. The institution already has faculties approved and the others will get approved in good time.”
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Mohammad Idris, has warned against conducts that are inimical to the development of technical education in the country including over enrollment of students.
The NBTE boss, while pledging the board’s unwavering commitment to the growth of the institution, urged the management of Federal Polytechnic Orogun to uphold the values of integrity and shun acts of illegalities
Prof Idris, who was represented by Zonal Director, South-South Zonal office of NBTE, Mr Cyril Mbon, described the maiden matriculation as a great milestone in the history of the polytechnic.
He also urged the Management to create enabling environment that would encouraged the students to exhibit their ingenuities.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the administering of the matriculation oath on students by the Registrar, Mrs. Christine Aluyi.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta was represented by his Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerovwo Tonukari, others in attendance were the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman represented by Muhammed Yushau; Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga represented by the Provost, DELSU, Oleh Campus, Prof. Elo Ibaghere and Vice Chancellor, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Prof. J.S Oboreh represented by the University Librarian, Associate Prof. Ogochukwu Emiri.
