R-L, Transparency Africa representative Amb. Bernard Sogolo presenting the award to FEDPOL Ilaro Rector, Dr. Mukail Aremu Akinde in his office.
By Olamide FAKEYE
Nigeria – The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro-Yewa, Rector, Dr. Mukail Aremu Akinde, FCA, FC, on Wednesday, bestowed with prestigious Transparency Africa Honour’s award by Transparency Africa, (a non-partisan organisation) with headquarters in Ivory Coast and Ghana, in a commendable recognition of ethical leadership and dedication to transparency.
The award, according to the organisation, underscores the Rector and the Institution’s unwavering commitment to upholding high moral principles, even in the face of pervasive corruption in Nigeria and Africa.
While presenting the award, the Team Lead, Amb. Bernard Sogolo, who is the organisation’s Director of Programmes noted that the project is aimed at projecting the positivities of Africa to the world in order to change the misconceptions that all Africans are corrupt.
According to him, one of the ways to promote integrity is to announce African leaders and organizations, both private and public, who have been found trustworthy so as to encourage them to do more and make others to imbibe transparency as norms and engage in corrupt free activities.
He explained that the decision to honour Dr. Akinde was premised on his remarkable demonstration of integrity, with clean track records, obtained through critical and objective investigations conducted through the Anti-graft Agencies, his exemplary leadership style as seen in his introduction of the work and study scheme for indigent students and on the understanding that the Rector himself rose gracefully from a humble background, and his doggedness at upholding moral standard in the midst of decadence among the youths in Africa.
He stated further that the Polytechnic was found to be determined towards ensuring that students are properly dressed, with the security officials been empowered to enforce the law even from the entrance of the school.
Dr. Akinde was further discussed as an inspirational leader, a promoter of accountability, an advocate of youth empowerment and a defender of good and qualitative education among others.
Upon receiving the award, the Rector expressed his gratitude, attributing the accomplishments to the collective hard work and dedication of the management, staff and students, adding that the recognition serves as a testament to the institutions unwavering commitment to maintaining ethical values and transparency.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Akinde also highlighted the unfortunate realities of African under development, despite being blessed with abundant of natural resources, attributing this to the pervasive and carouser influence of corruption, describing it as a ‘cancerous’ force that impedes progress and prosperity.
Dr. Akinde commended the African Youths for their doggedness and due diligence, and unquenchable thirst for knowledge using the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro as a case study for the youths of Africa.
This he said actually underscores their determination to promote integrity and challenge the negative perception of Africa as a continent and to promote the narrative of progress and transparency.
The Principal Officers and others who were in attendance when the Rector was receiving the award included Tpl. L. A. Lasisi, Deputy Rector, Admin, Mrs A. F. Babatola, the Registrar and Prince Owolabi, who represented the Bursar.
