The Ogun Assembly has , through a through a resolution called on the state government to consider the immediate revival and operational take-off of the State Polytechnic, Ipokia in Ogun West Senatorial district.
Speaking during plenary in Abeokuta on Thursday, Hon. Bisi Oyedele (APC-Ipokia/Idiroko) , noted that revival of the polytechnic remained a matter of justice, accountability, and responsible governance.
He said that the revival of the polytechnic was important to the educational advancement and economic prosperity of the state.
He explained that there was need to address the operational take-off, saying that the polytechnic had been left in limbo for years, leading to significant loss of public resources and community discontent.
” This Honourable House will recall that Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia, was established through legislation as part of a strategic educational reform initiative of the Ogun state Government.
” Its creation was seen as a testament to our collective commitment to advancing technical and vocational education in Ogun State.
” Regrettably, despite the passage of time and the construction of significant infrastructure, the polytechnic has yet to commence academic activities.
” A committee was constituted at the beginning of the first term of Gov. Dapo Abiodun to review the creation of this institution.
” However, the report of this committee is yet to be made public and no positive development has been achieved since then, leaving the fate of the polytechnic in uncertainty,” he said.
He explained that the polytechnic’s location, ipokia , a strategic border town, remained a potential international hub for education, capable of attracting students from neighboring countries.
The lawmaker urged the state government to allocate necessary funds for the rehabilitation and operational take-off of the institution, ensuring the completion of existing facilities and the procurement of academic resources.
He sought the immediate accreditation of programs by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and other relevant regulatory bodies to enable a phased commencement of academic activities.
He recommended the integration of community stakeholders, including traditional rulers, in the institution’s revival process to ensure local ownership and sustainability.
” There is need to preserve the state’s investment by securing the polytechnic’s infrastructure from further decay, theft, or vandalism while awaiting its operational take-off,” he said.
In his submission, Mr Wahab Haruna (APC- Yewa North 11), noted that the take-off of the institution would boost the economic growth of the axis..
Other lawmakers who contributed to the debate supported the motion , calling on the state government to expedite action on the immediate take-off of the institution.
Mr Oludaisi Elemide(APC-Odeda), the Speaker, noted that it was important for the house of assembly to know all ongoing projects across the state.
Mr Yusuf Sheriff (APC-Ado Odo Ota), the Majority Leader, moved that the motion be passed into resolution, seconded by Mr Lukman Adeleye (PDP-Odogbolu), the Minority leader.
