By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
Nigeria – The Federal Polytechnic Ilaro-Yewa in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State on Wednesday, 19th February, 2025 marked the 45th Founder’s Day with 22nd Convocation ceremony, presenting a total of 7,190 graduands with National Diplomas and Higher National Diplomas.
According to the Institution’s Rector, Dr. Mukail Aremu Akinde, the total number of male graduates produced for the HND programme for 2023/24 graduating class is 1,121, while the total number of female graduates produced from the same programme is 1,498.
Altogether, as stated by the rector in his speech, a total number of of 148 students made distinction grade in the HND programme, with the best student, Moses Kehinde Salome, a female student of the Department of Office Technology Management, graduating with a 3.90 CGPA.
“In addition, 2180 male students successfully graduated from the institution’s ND programme, while a total number of 2397 female students graduated from the same programme. Altogether, a total number of 205 students made distinction grade in the ND programme, with the best student, Onyemachi Abigail Ezinne, a female student of the Department of Science Laboratory Technology, graduating with a 3.93 CGPA”, Dr. Akinde stated.
Rector Dr. Mukail Akinde commended the graduating class, emphasizing that all the graduands demonstrated both exemplary character and outstanding academic achievements.
He encouraged the graduands to utilize the skills acquired during their 21st-century training, reminding them of the significant investments made by their parents, the institution, and the nation.
Highlighting the institution’s achievements, Rector Akinde listed some of the achievements as follows: Construction of the Schools of Agriculture and School of Art&Design, Printing Laboratories, new ICT 300 seaters facility, laboratories, Satellite Television, road rehabilitation, new School of Management Studies, new School of Agriculture, New Tractors, Agric Implements, State of the Heart Equipment in Cement Engineering Technology and other Engineering, Pure and applied Sciences.
Also listed as achievements are: Unveiling of the Electric Tri-cycle using CNG, Solar Panel and Electricity, approval of 24 new programmes, FPI students and their lecturers Assembled 25kg Playload Agric Drones used to support in fumigating yearly 2000 hectares at OLAM Farms, Ruibi village,Nasarawa.
The Rector also stated that, through the Distinguished Senator (Dr) Olamilekan Adeola, the Aremo of Yewaland and Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, the institution has contracted Kaffog Industrial Limited to give the Polytechnic Digital Learning Centre to facilitate digital services, e-learning, computers, Internet connectivity, a Local Area Network, Smarts Board, solar-Powered Inverter and a Generator etc.
Dr. Akinde further revealed that all HND 2 Engineering and Applied Science students can fly and maintain drones.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun PhD, in his lecture, entitled: “Renewed Hope Agenda: Brain Drain and Japa Syndrome – The Way Forward”, read on his behalf by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo PhD, posited that, brain drain and Japa syndrome pose significant challenges to Nigeria’s development, depleting critical sectors of skilled professionals and weakening national productivity.
According to him, addressing root causes such as unemployment, economic instability, poor wages,and insecurity is essential to reversing the trend.
The police boss added that investing in education, skill development, and improved working conditions can create viable opportunities for professionals to thrive locally.
“Additionally, engaging the Nigerian diaspora, fostering public-private partnerships, and promoting foreign investment can transform brain drain into gain. A holistic, multi-sectoral approach that prioritizes human capital development, security, and economic stability will not only reduce migration pressures but also position Nigeria as a hub for innovation and sustainable growth”, IGP Egbetokun submitted.
The ceremony also marked with the awarding of the Institution’s fellowship to Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Egwarewa Adeniyi Keyamo SAN; Abiodun Akanbi Durosinmi, COO/General Manager, Finance, Operations & Technology, Zenith Bank Nig. Ltd and an Accounting Software Expert, Alaba Jacob Afolabi.
