Daniel Agbolade
No fewer than 9,549 students were yesterday awarded various academic certificates in both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND), by management of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
Rector of the institution, Mr. Olatunde Fawole, made the disclosure during 32nd/33rd combined convocation ceremony of the school held at the institution's sports pavilion.
Present at the ceremony were governor of Oyo State, Mr. Abiola Ajimobi, represented by his Deputy, Mr. Moses Alake-Adeyemo and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Mr. Adebayo Adeyemi, among many other dignitaries.
He said, "The Polytechnic Ibadan is today graduating a total number of nine thousand, five hundred and forty nine students (9,549), students for 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 academic sessions
"A breakdown of this shows that faculty of financial management studies has 1,773, faculty of business and communications studies has 2,794, faculty of Engineering has 1,627, faculty of environmental studies has 1,435, while faculty of science 1,920.
"All the programmes being run by this institution as at today are fully accredited by National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the regulating body of all academic programmes in Nigerian polytechnics. The institution will continue to strive to attain excellence in all spheres of life. The institution is also expanding its scope of academic programmes.
"Two new programmes, National Diploma in Library and Information Science and Higher National Diploma in Mechatronics are expected to commence this academic session."
Fawole who felicitated with the graduands for the success that they achieved, maintained that the spirit of tolerance, high moral standard and dedication to duty which the institution inculcated in them will see them through the vagaries of life.
"You are going into the larger world that is different from the campus. The spirit of tolerance, high moral standard and dedication to duty which we added to spice your academic pursuit will definitely see you through your future endeavours. I urge you to be good ambassadors of The Polytechnic Ibadan.
"The Diplomas you are receiving today should make you proud of your years of training and remember that there is no inferiority in you except that which you allow.
"Graduates of Polytechnics are found in every field of human endeavours, be it commerce, government, industries. Remember the spirit of hardwork that we have impacted to you and the moto of the institution. Ise loogun Ise (Work is the antidote of poverty).
"You should also note that the certificates you are holding belong to The Polytechnic Ibadan and you must continue to defend the name and integrity of the institution at all times", he stated.