MAPOLY MUST SURVIVE - PROTEST

An injury to one is an injury to all. This occur on the note of the concerned students of Moshood Abiola polytechnic (MAPOLY) use this medium to megaphone to all students to come out in mass to the school gate on Monday 6th November, 2017 by  7:00am in an attempt to make our grievances known to the school management, the Ogun state government and concerned stakehe holders involved in the;

*  Indefinite strike embarked upon by the ASUP MAPOLY

*  Indefinite postponement of our examinations

*  postponement of our SU election

However, it is important to note that, at this point our silence will be taken for cowardice as this lingering issue has affected us adversely and our morales are being killed on daily basis due to unnecessary delay of our examination

Fellow Mapaites,,, have you thought of it?

*   your delayed exams is a delay to progress

*   your cost of sustainability increases unnecessarily and  you spend more doing nothing 

*   the risk of traveling to and fro Abeokuta for exam reasons

*    NYSC for HND2 is delayed

*   your house rents may expire by December, will you pay for another year? Certainly NO!!!

You are affected, I am affected

Let's be in school on Monday by 7:am

We won't stop till something happens

NOTHING SHALL DISCOURAGE US!!!

MAPOLY FOR MAPAITES....

SIGNED:

CONCERNED STUDENTS

Ogun State Government Plan To Sack MAPOLY ASUP CHAIRMAN Kola Abiola - Abdulqudus Ogundapo

The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics,Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta chapter ,Comrade Kola Abiola might be sacked any moment from now ,PLATFORM TIMES gathered authoritatively.

Abiola who has been leading the vibrant union of the institution against the plan by the Ogun State government to change the Polytechnic to a University of Science and Technology without poper arrangement for the staff was said to have been marked as the rebel leader that must be showed the exit of the Polytechnic .


PLATFORM TIMES' investigation revealed that the government was not comfortable with his style of leadership and might wield the big stick on him for 'being sturborn'.

Ogun State government has announced its plan to move almost all the staff of MAPOLY to Ipokia to kick off the new Polytechnic established in its replacement while it begins the new University in Abeokuta.

Findings by PLATFORM TIMES show that the state government has written the union through the ministry of Education of its stance on the matter.

The letter which was obtained by PLATFORM TIMES states that there was no going back in the plan to transform the Polytechnic into a University.

The letter also states that the workers have the option to either apply for job at the university or continue with the Polytechnic,but, in Ipokia.

An unconfirmed report has it that a meeting was going on as at the time of filing the report to perfect the sacking of the Union leader on the thrump charges with a view to distabilising the union .

SOURCE: www.platformtimes.com.ng

MAPOLY RECTOR ALLEGEDLY HIDES CV FROM PUBLIC

About a month after he was appointed ,the Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ayodeji Suleiman Tella has reportedly  refused to disclose his Curriculum Vitae to the public.

It would be recalled that Mr. Tella was appointed by Ogun State Governor ,Senator Ibikunle Amosun, October 3, 2017  after the erstwhile Rector, Professor Oludele Itiola was asked to proceed on terminal leave by the governor.

Controversy trails the appointment of Mr Tella following his alledged refusal to make his educational  status to the school .

This develooment has fuelled the  insinuations that Mr. Tella is not qualified to lead the polytechnic which has no fewer than 55 PhD holders ,whereas he was said to have been a high school teacher before his current appointment .

Meanwhile, all efforts made by Platformtimes to unravel the academic background of Mr. Tella proved abortive.

It should be noted that the polytechnic despite that the Polytechnic has over 55 PHD holders , it is not certain if the new Rector has a Masters degree.

The erstwhile Rector of the polytechnic, Professor Itiola was before his appointment in 2013, a Professor of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical technology at the University of Ibadan.

An unconfirmed report has it that the appointment of Mr Tella who was believed to be a secondary school teacher was to provoke  protest by the workers in the Polytechnic which may prompt the  closure of the school.

SOURCE: http://www.platformtimes.com.ng

SU ELECTION: Vote Team Movement For Revolution – Come One, Come All (Read Details)

Now it's time to VOTE for those who will fight for the right of our dear students. This TEAM is here to help with the inadequacy that has been happening in our institution. We can't do it alone without your favorable support. 

... And i present to you the TEAM MOVEMENT FOR REVOLUTION

Journey 4 President
Ben10 4 V. President
Olamide 4 Gen. Sec.
AFO 4 Fin. Sec.
Oshomo 4 Treasurer
Aremu 4 Welfare Dir.
Phoenix 4 P. R. O
Cosmas 4 Social Dir.
Educated O. G 4 Sport Dir.
Cyrus 4 A. G. S

Student union has been the most powerful and effective voice student has ever had in history. Where there is no student representative the student body at large is *WEAK,* that is one of the reason we must all turn out towards forthcoming election *.. if truly we want to put a lasting solution to the crisis on campus.

Please don't  say or think what is your business with the election· My brother and sister it's your business because your are a student of this our Great Citadel of learning and am sure you are not happy with what is going on in campus and you want a Lasting Solution. Therefore i present to you the *VOICES* of the *VOICELESS*

Mapoly To Release New Academic Calendar For 2nd Semester – Press Club Mapoly (Read Full Details)

 

BREAKING: MAPOLY TO RELEASE NEW ACADEMIC CALENDAR FOR 2ND SEMESTER EXAMINATION 

The Management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Today, is set to releases the new academic calendar for the commencement of the second semester Examination following the MAUSTECH/OGUN POLY crisis which disrupted the School second semester's academic calendar.

PRESS CLUB MAPOLY learnt that there was an Academic Board meeting held today where the new examination date was deliberate upon in order to begin the second semester examinations.

It would be recalled that The first phase HND Examination was scheduled to began on the 18th of September 2017. 

 Meanwhile, The meeting was said to be inconclusive and by Tomorrow the new academic calendar would be out..

To this Effect, PRESS CLUB MAPOLY however implore and also urged Students to start preparations towards their examinations immediately as We expect the examination date to be announces soonest.. 

© PRESS CLUB MAPOLY

MAPOLY TO MAUSTECH: WHICH WAY TO GO? - MESSAGE FROM AN ALUMNI

After so many hullabaloos on MAPOLY / MAUSTECH Saga, it is now very clear that; politics has found its way in beyond redemption.

I was on Campus yesterday, and I saw a memo signed and pasted on all notice boards by the School Registrar on the decision that, the sales of HND forms for Full-time and Part-time students is on. Even, a deadline was given for the sales, while the muted Second Semester Examinations for the Returning Students will commence anytime from next week. Also, the government has insisted that the sales of forms for ND students / Jambites should be put on hold as no admission will be given to them. Rather, the barren land in Ipokia has been concluded by the Governor to be the new Poly site for all ‘Freshers’ seeking ND admission into MAPOLY / Ogun State Polytechnic. Oppositely, the ASUP still refused to agree with this decision, as it was believed to be the new Rector / Governments personal opinion against theirs.

It may surprise some people to know that, as big as MAPOLY Alumni Association is, in terms of Members and names, so equal to their level of weakness in terms of decision and action plan.

So far so good, none of the two wings, that is; The National Executive Council (NEC) and Committee of Distinguished Alumni (CODA) which constitutes the Alumni Association of MAPOLY has not done anything meaningful to rescue the situation that has almost jeopardized the efforts of the good staff and students of Great MAPOLY, just as the school keeps facing depression in the hands of the state government, due to unpalatable policies, aimed at scoring mere political points. As observed, the NEC and CODA have not displayed any real or genuine interest in the current issues because of some unworthy reasons gathered within.

Though, while the NEC wing turned a total 'deaf-ear', some members of CODA had only made an effort to have a successful horrifying meeting with the state Commissioner for Education, Mrs Modupe Mojuta without any 'ear-friendly' outcome, following my previous broadcast on social media on the same saga, titled "TO THE GREAT ALUMNI OF MAPOLY".

Fine, the CODA team went into a meeting with the state Commissioner for Education but, with just 9-selected members by the Secretary of the CODA. The selection of the 9-members to me was more of 'we-we' than individuals capability. At the end of the day, the meeting had rather favoured the government more. Neither the staff nor students were well briefed with adequate information on the outcome of the meeting after they came back from the Commissioner's office. No communiqué, no press statement, no memo and no single official feedback. Probably, the fear of saying what the outcome of the meeting is has gripped those that represented, as I'm sure, that if such meeting had favoured the school, staff or students, the noise would have been everywhere by the representatives of the CODA. This made me ask a question thus:

Is MAPOLY Alumni Association now a newly evoke educational sector in the state?

Secretly, a source within the CODA team that went to have meeting with the commissioner revealed that, after the commissioner had initially belittled them without any humble welcome to her office, the commissioner in her later conversation tastefully admitted that their government had wrongly construed the bill that sustained the upgrade of MAPOLY into a University of Technology. She said; “Government only wants a ‘New University’ to kick start in MAPOLY using existing structure inside MAPOLY Campus, while MAPOLY will be moved to IPOKIA site with a name change to Ogun State Polytechnic”. Although, this is not in any way in line with the content of the bill but, totally against the bills substance approved by the Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHA). Nevertheless, due to the perceived arrogance displayed by the members of ASUP and others, the government also decided to use its power.

Deceitfully, approximately a week after the shadow meeting between some members of CODA and the state commissioner for Education, a cajoling press statement was released by the commissioner, which only addressed the Alumni personally on future benefits that will be enjoyed by them after which the government might have successfully transmitted MAPOLY to MAUSTECH. The press statement did not in any way address those aching issues affecting the school activities.

For more clarifications, below are some extracts from the press statements by the commissioner for education, following the meeting with some members of CODA:

..the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Modupe Mujota who made this known while playing host to the Executive members of the Association at her office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said the change in status of the polytechnic to a University of Science and Technology would not have any effect on the activities of the Alumni Association..".

# (Could this be what the Alumni fell for?)

"..your Association needs not bother on the transition of MAPOLY to MAUSTECH. What has happened was borne out of the belief that there should be balance in the development of the State. The Governor believes that every senatorial district of the State should have a feel of the mission to rebuild agenda that is currently pervading the State. Hence, the location of the State Polytechnic at Ipokia, the Commissioner said..".

# (Definitely, the transition is not genuine. Rather, it was borne out of political purpose. But, must everything be done for political purpose?)

"..the National President of the Association, Mr. Akeem Ayoade, said that their visit was to obtain first-hand information on the status of the new Polytechnic and to ascertain if its members could further their education in the new University..".

# (How is this related to the ongoing issues please? How could a whole National President of MAPOLY Alumni Association say that; their visit was to obtain first-hand information on the status of the new Polytechnic and to ascertain if its members could further their education in the new University?) Arrant nonsense!

As for me, I am not impressed with the performance of the selected members of CODA wing of MAPOLY Alumni Association. Notwithstanding, and without any sense of discrimination between HND and Bsc, no sane person will go against the upgrade of MAPOLY into a University but, the process must not jeopardize the efforts of those apostles that had sacrificed a lot in ensuring that the school got to the height it has attained, ranging from government sponsoring institution into self sustaining academic institution, now to a level of attracting conversion into a University. It is not damn easy!

Academically, this government needs to be educated that; upgrading an academic institution or any higher institution of learning like MAPOLY into a University of Technology is different from conversion, while conversion is different from starting a new institution afresh. Unfortunately, the Alumni body that was supposed to join forces and educate the government and even helps the government out to get things right is still turning a deaf-ear and acting novice on this sensitive matter.

It marvels me to see that what is playing out in my Alma-mata is totally different from what is being agitated and approved.

An upgrade was agitated and approved but, starting a new institution with the usage of an existing structure, without patently addressing what will become the faith of; - MAPOLY being a self sustaining Higher Institution of Learning, - the admission of over 25,0000 MAPAITES, - all the efforts and sacrifices of the Academic and non Academic Staff, - Traders, - Entrepreneurs, (Taxi Drivers, Food sellers, Shop Owners, Landlords, etc).

It is very annoying that after the failed attempt by some members of CODA, up till date, the NEC, which is the upper chamber of the Alumni body is still acting apprentice on the ongoing retarded policies being implemented by the state government over what was initially perceived to be a smooth upgrade of MAPOLY into a University of Science and Technology.

It is very sad that the leadership of NEC only believes that the disagreement between the ASUP and state government is not enough to demand for the full interference of the Association because of the perception that ASUP and Government are both fighting for personal interest.

The NEC is of the opinion that; the government is doing all in order to score political points and accolades, while ASUP is after securing their jobs / employments.

Furthermore, I also observed that the NEC is rather feeling proud or too big to prevail on the ongoing saga in the way it ought to be handled, probably to avoid losing their base in the hands of the state government. My reasons are based on the expression and information gathered by a key officer within the Alumni Association when I asked him on why the NEC has refused to interfere in the matter since, and why the CODA wing has rather gone to ask such nauseating questions among other important things that demand explanation.

During my personal engagement with the officer, he revealed that:

- Ever since the issue has started, they did not receive any official briefing from neither the school management nor the ASUP about what is going on, and where the association can come in’.

- ‘The news / information were not tabled officially before the NEC or CODA. Not even the government made it known to the association through any official document or letter that the school will either be converted or upgraded into a University’.

- ‘That their avoidance was based on hearsays, which was not enough to act on’.

To me, the NEC wing of the Alumni Association is myopic to have considered the saga not worthy to act on, despite the fact that, the information is everywhere.

# For how long will NEC wing of MAPOLY Alumni Association continue to keep mute and act novice on issues that have disrupted the academic activities inside the Campus?

# For how long will NEC wing of MAPOLY Alumni Association continue to keep mute and act novice on issues that has led to the wildcat strike on the conduction of second semester examinations for the returning students?

# For how long will NEC wing of MAPOLY Alumni Association continue to keep mute and act novice on issues that have hindered the sales of entry forms for JAMBITES, especially those who have chosen MAPOLY as their choice of institution while filling their forms?

# For how long will NEC wing of MAPOLY Alumni Association continue to keep mute and act novice on issues that led to staff protest, disorderliness and denial of Prof Oke Bukola, Professor Isaq Salako among others members of the Transition Committee during the penultimate week.

# For how long will NEC wing of MAPOLY Alumni Association continue to keep mute and act novice on issues that led to Students protest to Governor's Office under the leadership of NANS - Ogun JCC Chairman. In which, the School Rector, Prof Itiola was asked to go on a terminal leave with immediate effect on the same day.

# For how long will NEC wing of MAPOLY Alumni Association continue to keep mute and act novice on issues that are everywhere in the public, even in the media.

Let us not forget that UNILAG Alumni association was not officially informed before they rejected the wish of Federal Government under the leadership of former President GEJ to change the name of their institution from University of Lagos (UNILAG) to Moshood Abiola Univerity, Lagos (MAULAG).

Also, Students of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) and their Alumni Association were not written officially nor informed before putting forces together to reject Governor Amosun's attempt to scrap their Great Institution for political reasons.

Why is MAPOLY'S case different?

Though, I will continue to be proud of myself being an Alumnus of Great MAPOLY but, I detest any unduly process capable of jeopardizing the efforts of the good Staff and Students of my Great Alma-mata.

Dear Intellectual Alumni and other pragmatic Nigerians that have benefited from MAPOLY in one way or the other, if truly we are proud of those benefits, then, we need to allow others to benefit as well, by not allowing any government, organization or association to play politics with our Alma-mata.

Conclusively, I want to advise all admission seekers into MAPOLY to look elsewhere for now, exception on those that still feel better staying at home. I will never advise anyone to keep hope that something will come from MAPOLY because, no clear hope is in fold as far as MAPOLY / MAUSTECH is concerned. That of Ogun State Poly - Ipokia site is not even part of it at all as no work is yet to commence on the site till now, except for shadow promises. It is just a pity situation and quite unfortunate.

Till then;

I stand with the Good Students of MAPOLY,
I stand with JAMBITES and All Admission Seekers into MAPOLY,
I stand with the Good Academic and Non Academic Staff of MAPOLY,
I stand with the Good Members ASUP,
I stand with the Good and Intellectual Alumni of MAPOLY,
I stand with Proper and Genuine Transition of MAPOLY devoid of Politics,
I stand with the Greatest Nigerian Students.

Credit: Comrade Westo Adekunle Adejumo

HND (FULL TIME AND PART TIME) ADMISSION REGISTRATION

Prior to the recent development of Mapoly upgrading to University. It was concluded that Mapoly will admit HND aspirant for both FULL TIME & PART TIME program. Please check below images for the requirements.

Please note that registration close on the 27th October, 2017.

FOR ND ASPIRANT:

According to what the government of ogún state said, there is not going to be admission into Mapoly anymore for the ND and for admission into maustechnews, that maybe from next if they decided. 

Form for Ogun State Polytechnic might be out soon and you will get updates from out social media. Stay updated!

Mapoly Rector Professor Itiola Sacked, Appoint Mr Ayodeji Salimon As Acting Rector

It saddens to hear the shocking breaking news from Ogun State Government shortly after the peaceful protest of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (Mapoly) student that Mr Ayodeji Salimon has been appointed as Acting Rector of Moshod Abiola Polytechnic with immediate effect as erstwhile Rector Prof Oladele Itiola proceed accordingly on his terminal leave.

According to what the governor has said earlier while addressing the student of Mapoly when they stumbled his office, He expressed his mind that some people given the privilege to serve the students are not serving us well. 

We hope to get more updates soon. Stay updated.

Mapoly Will Co-exists With Maustech For 4 Years

The Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has assured Nigerian students that the upgraded Moshood Abiola Polytechnic will still be in existence for four years alongside the University.

The governor disclose this while addressing thousands of Nigeria students who storm his Oke-Mosan in the early hours of today to protest against state of education in the state.

He assured that the present students on campus will complete their program with Mapoly and students on industrial training would also be admitted to complete their program while fresh ND1 applicants will be moved to Ipokia.

He added that the state government will meet with ASUP Mapoly to ensure the conduct of examination for the present students on campus.

Speaking also on the price of the newly constructed model schools in the state, Amosun noted that his administration still remain committed to his campaign promise of free education for primary and secondary schools in the state, however, the cost of the facilities that will be provided in the school is what amount to #1.2million per session.

However, the NANS chairman, Comrade Olawale Balogun assured the students of his commitment to the struggle and stated that the leadership of NANS will not relent until their demands are met by the state government.

The students who came from different institutions across the state, converge on Abeokuta to express their grievances by carrying placards with various inscription such as "Mapoly must survive", "education must be free" and so on. They also chant various solidarity songs to express their anger.

The protest which went peacefully with no casualties record, was fully attended by media agencies and security personnel within the state.

REPORT AFTER MAPOLY PEACEFUL PROTEST UPDATES

Prior to the peaceful protest of the Students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (Mapoly) today Wednesday 3 Oct, 2017, His excellency Governor Ibikunle Amosun.(Gcon,Fca) is not happy because it's his school(alma mata). He said some people given the privilege to serve the students are not serving us well. 

The ND1 - HND11 students presently in mapoly will complete their program in Mapoly. That is, they're not going to Ipokia. 

He also said it will take four(4) years before mapoly goes into extinction. He said if the lecturers don't accept or begin exams ASAP, they'll be sorted out. He said new lectures would be employed for the university. The qualified ones in the Polytechnic should re-apply if qualified. He also said the lecturers are trying to hoodwink the government. 

Only ND prospects are going to Ipokia. Carry over or extra year students are going to Ipokia to re-write. Because according to the governor, "your parents didn't send you to school to fail". No HND would be admitted in Mapoly or Ipokia because Ipokia can only admit ND students.

Mapoly Students Peaceful Protest Starts Today - ROSEC 2017 Update

The massive protest is to be happening today, and all concerned students are to come along with Identity card for full recognition of their studentship.

However, the venue for convergence is Skating Ground Panseke, Abeokuta as early as from 6am. Buses for conveyance will be provided free of charge for all students to and fro.

For easy movement to the governor's office where our fate as students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) will be decided. NANS/JCC OGUN has arranged for free buses which will convey the students to the office of the state governor.

The buses will be stationed at the following points with the following persons. 

PANSEKE (skating ground)

DMX ---  08133754780

AYODELE ---  08068143806

IYANA OLOKE

JayJay---- 07064248647

TOBIASKI ----08165686287

SCHOOL GATE

KOSOKO---  09092065990

JAGABAN ----  08180313291

OLUWO. (POLICE POST)

MACHAVELLI ----  07085301049

HARJEEBS. ------ 07062363372

Remember it is the avenue for us to resuscitate and make our demands known to the state Government about Educational system in the state. 

As such, no students must come with any form of weapons or cause violence, because if such person is apprehended, he or she won't be left out of thorough prosecution.

Today is the day, let's come out in multitude and say no to jeopardy of our educational career in Ogun State.

.........ROSEC 2017........

Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta!!!

Signed:

Comrade Olawale Balogun
Executive Chairman
NANS Ogun State Axis

Peaceful Protest - Rescue Ogun State Education Campaign (ROSEC) 2017

Greatest Nigerian Students!!!!!!!!

It is no more news that the leadership of NANS JCC Ogun State Axis bemoaned the unsuitable and ineffective educational system in Ogun State, which resulted into multifarious consultations and deliberations on how the state Government can respond swiftly to those shortcomings.

Recently, NANS Ogun State Axis held a Senate meeting on the 25th September 2017, which comprised the SUG Presidents of our tertiary institutions in Ogun State in order to call upon the state Government to find a long lasting solutions to all resolutions derived at the Senate meeting.

Apparently, the leadership of NANS JCC Ogun State Axis gave the state Government 72 hours Ultimatum which began 2pm Tuesday 26th September, 2017 and lapsed 2pm Friday 29th September, 2017.

However, with the failure of the state Government to respond and address all our demands concluded at the Senate meeting within the given hours of ultimatum, we hereby media phone to all Nigerian Students the necessity of participating in the forthcoming united campaign  tagged "RESCUE OGUN STATE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN (ROSEC) 2017". 

On the issue of MAPOLY and education in Ogun State at large, NANS Ogun axis calls all legitimate and bonafide Students schooling on the soil of Ogun State to join a peaceful protest.

Time: Tuesday 3rd October, 2017. 
Venue: Skating ground, panseke
Time: 6-7am .

Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta!!!

Authoritatively signed:

Comrade Balogun Olawale

Executive Chairman, NANS Ogun State Axis

Comrade Amuwa Mayowa

General Secretary, NANS Ogun State Axis

Cc:

Commissioner for Education, Ogun state 

Commissioner for police, Ogun state

Dir. Department of State Security, Ogun State

MAPOLY ASUP DEMANDS CLARIFICATION FROM NBTE

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), have demanded clarification from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), over the status of the newly established Ogun State Polytechnic located at Ipokia area of the state.

Stating this was the National Vice-President of the association, Comrade Timothy Ogunseye, at a press conference in Abeokuta, on Tuesday, who said that the Board must as a matter of urgency published the names of courses it had accredited for the polytechnic billed to take off by December. The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, had at the foundation laying of the new institution, submitted that the NBTE had accredited 42 courses for the new polytechnic.

However, the ASUP vice chairman, faulted the governor’s claim, insisting that the Board could not have accredited 42 programmes for the new polytechnic which was yet to have any physical infrastructure. He said the leadership of the union would not abandon its members in MAPOLY in the on-going struggle, maintaining that the two institutions could co-exist for a period of three years.

Ogunseye said, “Our position in this regard is that there must be a gestation period during which people can move people from Abeokuta to Ipokia. And we are of the opinion that there is nothing wrong if the polytechnic, as well as the university, can co-exist for the next three years. From there, our members can now move to Ipokia, by which time we expect the level of infrastructure in Ipokia to have been upgraded.

“As we speak, we have nothing on the ground in Ipokia. And please we need to correct this impression, ASAP in MAPOLY or any staff is not against the establishment of polytechnic in Ipokia. All we are saying is that where you even do that, issues surrounding staff career development, students’ comfort, all these issues have to be looked into.

“Honestly, if that programme is to work, we expect the government to spearhead a mass house revolution in Ipokia where accommodation would be made available for staff and students and where classroom blocks, laboratories, workshops, all those things would have been built before we consider the movement at all. “Otherwise, all they are just trying to do now is to go around it and asking our colleague to be facing all this hardship and sufferings, and we are saying all these things should not be. “We are not doing this because of our members alone but because of the students which the institution will produce.”

Similarly speaking, the ASUP coordinator, Zone C, Wale Omoobaorun, said that only 27 programmes were accredited by NBTE. He said that the union was not against the establishment of the new polytechnic, but that government should have a robust discussion with the union on the transition.

THE EFFECTS OF MAPOLY TRANSITION TO UNIVERSITY ON ITS STUDENTS

It is no longer news that Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere Abeokuta Ogun State has been converted into Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology. The Transition has Led

to the following problems:

=> Lecturer Protest against Mass Labor Turnover

=> Delay in the Examination of HND 2 FT/EV

=> Communication Gap between State Government and Management of MAPOLY

=> Inconsistent Lecture for ND1 & ND 2 FT/EV

=> Failure to admit new students for ND 1 and HND 1 FT/EV

                           

 Ogunbiyi Ahmed ET Muftau Arifayo "2017

Based on the aforementioned problems each stakeholder (Government, MAPOLY Managements and Students) are agitating for their right but the noise of the grass root (Students) seems not to be heard. The transition has posed a significant effect on students such as;

=> Students that have any issue such as Carryover/ Extra year, how will they complete their programme?

=> Students have lost focus on reading most especially HND 2 FT/EV which can significantly lead to mass failure if the examination commences soon.

=> Students that hold Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Certificate have no reference point anymore based on which school they finished from.

=> National Youth Service Corps of Outgoing HND 2 FT has been delayed as well because no mobilization without final examination

=> Delay in youths plan as various outgoing students have individual plans which have been affected negatively by the delay in their final examination.

Mapoly Students

      However, the crisis going on wouldn’t have occurred if the Ogun state government had learnt from the TASUED/TASCE crisis, which recently occurred as a result of lack of funding. As student(s) of MAPOLY, we have not said the transition is not a good achievement but proper structure ought to have been put in place, structures that will mutually benefit both parties (Government and MAPOLY stakeholders). 

The Government should not have scrapped MAPOLY while the new MAUSTECH was being established. Better still, MAUSTECH should be entirely new varsity at Ipokia instead of destroying laid down structure in MAPOLY. The implication is that if MAPOLY had not been scrapped by statue and simply related to Ipokia, (name can be changed to Ogun Poly) then the workers will no longer have the right to argue that they cannot be transferred or moved to the same institution new location. This issues has posed a very negative effects on both students’ and MAPOLY Staff as the student’s graduation is not guaranteed while the staffs’ employment is at stake.

Concerning Profferable solutions, the issues are still not far-fetched and rectification can be done amicably if the following can be considered based on the problems and its tremendous effect on students and MAPOLY Staff :

=> MAPOLY Staffs should be included in transition committee to ensure mutually but beneficial satisfactions.

Government should have a general meeting with all Management both teaching and non teaching staff in order to develop goals and planning strategy which can resolve the current issues 

=> They should consider the current human resources in MAPOLY by retaining qualified staff for University and deploy others to new establishment.

=> MAUSTECH should be entirely a new university at Ipokia to avoid needless argument.

=> MAPOLY should be de-scrapped, if already scrapped, movement to a new site will them simply be on disarticulation of co-habilitation policy.

                                  Ogunbiyi Ahmed ET Muftau Arifayo "2017

     It is high time the institution enjoy the goodness of the government, OGSG should support the institution (MAPOLY) by completing the road leading to the institution, building more lecture room, practical room, and payment of staffs salaries.

    In conclusion, all government should learn from this, the OGSG has basically focused on infrastructure in the state which is a very good idea, but then again, infrastructure cannot go in isolation. Others aspect should also be considered basically on EDUCATION and ENTREPRENEURSHIP and AGRICULTURE. If the students are not schooled or empowered, they might destroy the infrastructure of the government. Agriculture however will promote the culture and tradition of the state and as a result leads economy boom in the state as well as job opportunities.

Written by:

Ogunbiyi Ahmed and

Arifayo Muftau

Should MAPOLY goes into extinction, Recession will take over Abeokuta - ASUP Chairman

Following the crisis rocking the conversion of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic to a University of Science and Technology and establishment of a new Ogun state Polytechnic in Ipokia , the Chairman of Academic Staff Union of polytechnic, (ASUP), MAPOLY, Comrade Kola Abiola, has warned that, the extinction of MAPOLY may cripple businesses in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The ASUP Chairman, who spoke during an interview on a radio programe, Ayekooto on a private radio station Sweet 101.7 Fm , Abeokuta, explained that, most of the markets including, Panseke, Kuto, Omida and Lafenwa all in Abeokuta are duly patronized by MAPOLY students.

“Traders will cry for help, transporters may die of hunger while houses will be vacant in areas like Abule Ojere, Oluwo, Onikolobo, Panseke, Ita-eko and other student areas”.

Speaking on the crisis, he lamented that the Union has not received any positive response from the state government, saying that they have written three separate letters to the government through the commissioner for education Modupe Mujota.

The ASUP Chairman further explained that the association is not against the conversion of the Polytechnic to University, saying, the union is more concerned about the survival and sustenance of both Institutions.

Comrade Abiola however noted that, the 2017 \ 2018 admission might not be successful, saying there are no plans for the new students both in Abeokuta and Ipokia.

In his words “In MAPOLY there is always about 9 to 10 hours non- interrupted electricity supply, but since this crisis began, we hardly get electricity for three hours. “We are concerned about the survival and sustenance of both Institutions. But, nobody is talking to us, we have written three separate letters to the government through the commissioner for education and one directly to the government, we got no response. “The government doesn’t give us money to finance the institution, yet we find means by paying our staffs. “We didn’t say the government is doing bad, what we need is that, they should call us for dialogue and listen to our points”. 

Meanwhile ,there was confusion yesterday in Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta as the staff of the institution shunned the proposed second semester exams billed to start yesterday. This was following the faceoff between Ogun State government and members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, MAPOLY chapter over the conversion of the Polytechnic to Moshood University of Science and Technology, Abeokuta, and establishment of Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia.

Students who had prepared for the exams were left stranded at the examination centers as there was no one to conduct the exams nor address the students on the new development. Members of the Academic Union were however seen gathering for an emergency congress at the Union House within the Polytechnic. There was no one to address the press on the outcome of the congress which lasted for about two hours but a member of the Union who spoke in confidence with our correspondent revealed that the congress declared a 'work-to-rule'.

The Chairman of the Union, Kola Abiola, who was later monitored on a television programme insisted that the lecturers of the institution had become endangered specie over the conversion. The Chairman said that while the government did not include any members of the union in the technical committee, the union was also not consulted by the same committee.

He explained that while the new University has been recognised by the National University Commission, NUT, the staff are yet to know the status of the new Polytechnic. He lamented that while the Polytechnic has not been recognised by the National Board for Technical Education, courses are yet to be accredited. 

With all these controversies, according to Abiola, the government is also bent on moving the lecturers to the new polytechnic. He said, "If you look at the website of NUC, you will see Moshood Abiola University of Technology that has been recognised, what's is the status of Ogun State Polytechnic with National Board for Technical Education?.

"This is a question we are constantly asking Ogun State government and the technical committee. If I am going to Ipokia and accreditation has not been gotten for Ipokia, what happens to my fate? "The Governor of Ogun State has said they are in agreement with NBTE and to our own understanding, we don't know when NBTE goes into an agreement with anybody because there's a standard for accreditation.

"We are not saying we all want to work in the University. The university has been recognised but no course has been accredited but the Polytechnic has not been accredited by NBTE, the Polytechnic has no accredited course. As government, do you want to bring in students for courses that have not been accredited? 

Abiola explained that three different letters had been written to the state Commissioner of Education, Modupe Mujota while another one was written to the Governor through her office. He however said that none of the letters, including one which was published on a daily newspaper, was acknowledged by the government.

While asked to talk on the proposed exams for which time table had been released, Abiola said, "We are not on strike, but exam is not starting, lectures still continue." Efforts to speak with the management of the Institution proved unsuccessful as calls put across to his mobile line of the Public Relation Officer, Sulaiman Adebiyi was switched off.

Source: www.platformtimes.com.ng

MAUTECH TRANSITION COMMITTEE VS MAPOLY UNION FACEOFF: ISSUES & SOLUTIONS

I have just read online ASUP (MAPOLY) press release on the issue of relocation to a new Polytechnic and or ‘resign and reapply ‘ policy of the new MAUTECH Transition Committee if they will be employed in the new university. ASUP further claimed that it has lost confidence in the ability of Government (OGSG) to fund the two new institutions since funding depends primarily on school fees, because establishment of the new institutions imply new and lower enrolment figures and by implication, decline in students fees support.

ISSUES

1. Central to all the issues raised is the establishment of two new institutions which are now legal realities. Since OGSG has acted within the Nigerian Constitutional provisions placing education on the concurrent list, the right to establish the institutions remains lawful. The issue of the ability of OGSG to fund them remains an ethical imperative which only Government can address.

2. ASUP MAPOLY, however, has an avowed right to express concerns about the job security of her members, especially since OGSG through the Transition Committee (OGSG –TC) has asked the staff to resign and/or re-apply for jobs. Ordinarily, what the OGSG –TC did may not be right in ethics and law since it cannot just ask or force employees to resign without any act of wrong doing, especially in an educational institution setting which is different from a business organization that has gone under or into liquidation and workers are auto-laid off.

3. However, the needless crisis would have been avoided if OGSG has learned from the experience of the management of a similar TASUED/TASCE crisis in the past. In the first place, OGSG should not have scrapped MAPOLY while the new MAUTECH was being established. If MAPOLY were not scrapped, then OGSG has a legitimate right to transfer the intuition’s location to anywhere it likes, while the contractual relationship between OSGG (via MAPOLY Governing Council as immediate employers) and the workers (now represented by Union) would remain intact. Government has a right to embark on the internal transfer or deployment of any staff to any location where the establishment resides. (Recall, for instance, the transfer or redeployment of some top UI staff to University College, Jos, i.e. from Ibadan to Jos before the college later became a university. Similarly, when UNAB was a college placed under UNILAG, it technically became an extension or Abeokuta campus of UNILAG, and UNILAG redeployed or sent the Provost and some senior staff there until later when it became a full-fledged university). The implication is that if MAPOLY had not been scrapped by statue and simply related to Ikpokia, (name can be changed to Ogun Poly, Ikpokia later), then the workers will no longer have the right to argue that they cannot be moved or transferred to the same institution’s new location. OGSG can then, as act of motivation and corporate social conscience pay reasonable relocation allowance to the workers. If, however, any worker is still not satisfied, he can then resign or can resign and apply to be employed by the new MAUTECH if such a vacancy exists.

4. On the issue of institutional funding dependence on school fees, which arguably may decline, there are two critical options/issues:

(a) If MAPOLY were not scrapped, then it could retain its current enrolment figures as already approved by the National Commission in charge of Polytechnics. Without any objection from the Commission, the current fee-based funding can remain on its present level or be increased.

(b) However, in the event or situation of MAPOLY being scrapped, the National Commission will insist on regulating admission figures into a new Polytechnic after the usual pre-accreditation visitation. That of course will lead to a drastic reduction in approved enrolment (as feared by the unions) and eventually reduce or lead to a decline in the anticipated school fees-support funding.

5. By the way of summary, the issues raised can be amicably resolved, if the steps below are taken and/or retained.

(a) Accept and retain MAUTECH as a new university legally established in Ogun State.

(b) De-scrap MAPOLY, if already scrapped by law or restore to it the status quo ante. Movement to a new site will them simply be anchored on a Disarticulation of Co-habitation Policy.

(c) Provide succour to the staff of MAPOLY who will be moving to a new location or environment by giving them generous re-location allowances.

(d) Allow the Okebukola Transition Committee to begin earnestly the job of recruitment of staff into the new University. Allow some of the MAPOLY staff who are prima facie qualified and are willing to apply and be employed and re-designated along the university’s career structure to be employed.

Prof Segun Awonusi, FESAN,FNAL,

UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS

(Fmr. Commissioners of Educ., Ogun State

Fmr. Vice-Chancellor, TASUED,

Fmr. VC, FUEK, Kano)

Current MAPOLY students will not be transferred to Ipokia - Amosun

Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun has revealed that current students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta (MAPOLY) will not be transferred to the newly-established Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia.

This is coming after months of speculation on whether current students of MAPOLY transferred to the new Polytechnic.

The governor said only fresh students will be admitted for ND programmes at Ipokia. He made this known on Friday when he led the technical team and other members of the State Executive Council, including his Deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga to the Foundation-laying of Ogun Poly, Ipokia on Friday.

Speaking at the site of the main campus in Ijaye-Okeeyinbo, Amosun however said staff of MAPOLY who wish to work at MAUSTECH must re-apply. He also said those who want to work at Ipokia will get automatic employment.

"We are not bringing anybody from ND2, it is the new ND1 students that will be admitted here. We will allow people in Abeokuta to see what they are doing through. But those that will be given admission ND1 this year will come here.

"To those lecturers, we have to fix that. If anybody is expecting that the same set of lecturers at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic are going to be retained to Moshood Abiola University of Science and technology, that can’t be.

"Everybody that wish to be in the university will apply, but any of them that wants to come here is automatic. I’m appealing to them that we meant well, it is only the name and location that has changed," he said.

On the number of buildings that we available at Ipokia, Amosun said, "I know what it takes, I know what it entails. Ogun is 40 and the maturity should reflect in the way we do things. All we need to do now is to provide lecture rooms, we are ready to take up to 4,000. If we want to do it in batches of 200 so be it.

"The contractors are here, we are starting immediately but the administrative blocks may not be ready because you are talking of about three or more blocks but the ones that they will need, we will make sure they are available. We will use accommodation for lecturers too to make sure they are comfortable.

"I know it is a well founded fear when ASUP (MAPOLY) said they don’t want it but you know there will be some prices, there will be some sacrifices. The fears of transportation, we are going to provide buses for people from Idi-Iroko to take people here," he added.

Amosun noted that the institution would not only be a full conventional institution but one that would comply with international standards whose graduates would be able to compete favourably with others around the world.

The Governor further said the establishment of the Polytechnic was part of his administration’s socio-economic blueprint to distribute infrastructure across the state.

ASUP (MAPOLY) to Amosun: How will you fund MAUSTECH, Ogun Poly?

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, (MAPOLY) branch, has asked the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun to reveal how the state intends to fund Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology and the newly-established Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia.

The union at a special congress held on Wednesday, raised doubts over the state government’s capacity and ability to fund the new university in a sustainable manner, considering that salaries of the MAPOLY staff were being paid from students’ school fees.

While declaring support for the proposed university in a communiqué signed by the chairman of the union, Kola Abiola, the union, however, noted that the transition committee led by former Executive Secretary, National University Commission, Prof. Peter Okebukola had lost its relevance. The union reiterated that it no longer have confidence in the membership and activities of the committee.

The communiqué reads in part: “what are the resources on ground to facilitate the approval to commence operations in the proposed Ogun State Polytechnic? How is MAUSTECH and the new Ogun State Polytechnic going to be funded, especially the funding of overhead costs in the short run?

“How do we ensure on a sustainable basis, the payment of salaries of over seven hundred (700) existing staff of MAPOLY? This is a pertinent question, given the fact that presently, salaries are mainly sourced from school fees paid and especially now that admission is being suspended and even the new university and Ogun State Polytechnic will of necessity admit less numbers of students (both being new institutions of learning respectively?”

It would be recalled that Abiola in an interview with Platform Times recently revealed that MAPOLY gets N11 million occasionally to fund the wage bill of the institution that stands at N150 million.

Source: Press Club MAPOLY @ www.mapolypress.wordpress.com

MAPOLY Students: Determination Propelled us to become Chartered Accountants

Two undergraduates, Miss Oluwakemi Bakinde, 24 and Miss Opeyemi Sowemimo, 18, of the Department of Accountancy, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, who recently became chartered accountants shared their experiences of determination and setting their priorities right with Funmi Ogundare

Becoming a chartered accountant combines innovative education with mentored work experience to produce an accountant that possesses a greater ability to analyse and interpret business problems and develop dynamic solutions.

Bakinde, an indigene of Ogun State, expressed delight about her achievement while attributing it to determination, prayers and encouragement from family, friends and lecturers. “For me, I feel happy, delighted and great because it has always been one of my dreams to become a chartered accountant before being a graduate. It is a rare privilege to achieve this and I pray God Almighty guides me through achieving my other dreams.Perhaps this was the driving force for Miss Oluwakemi Bakinde, 24 and Miss Opeyemi Sowemimo, 18, of the Department of Accountancy, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, who became chartered accountants while pursuing their academic programme at a time when most of their colleagues are running after one social activities or another on campus.

“Without doubt, there is nothing anyone can achieve without prayers and the will of God in such person’s life. So, prayers, determination, encouragement from friends and family as well as lectures contributed greatly to this achievement. At this juncture, I must really appreciate the efforts of my lecturers in school whose experiences, professionalism, encouragement and passion for their students’ greatness were and are immeasurable at this point in my academic pursuit. I must also appreciate the lectures received from tutorial centres.”

Asked how she feels being one of the few students to become chartered accountants as undergraduates, she said, “the statement does not really hold true for us at MAPOLY because our department is renowned for producing chartered accountants who are still in their National and Higher National Diploma programmes. In fact, not too long ago, precisely in 2011, one Kaosarat Alade then in her National Diploma (ND) emerged as the best female student of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), having in 2009 at the age of 21 become a chartered accountant.”

On what makes her department and the institution to stand out from others, Bakinde described it as not only one of the best departments in the polytechnic, but also a force to be reckoned with among other institutions.

“The fact that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has always accredited the programme and the retinue of successful chartered accountants and other graduates of the department, including the Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun lay credence to the outstanding status of the department and the polytechnic.

“We have seasoned, committed and professional lecturers who will leave no stone unturned in equipping their students with all ingredients needed for success.”

For other students of accountancy who desire to become chartered accountants, she advised them to always encourage themselves. “It is true that Rome was not built in a day, but without the determination and will to get there, you will not even commence the journey at all. Therefore, as much as the journey may not be smooth at all times, they have to believe in the fact that they can achieve it.

“For instance, while I am delighted about my achievement, a colleague of mine, an ND II student who was 18 years old also became a chartered accountant. It means others should aim to better and surpass the feats recorded by those before them. Like I also said earlier, with prayers, commitment, believe and support, the sky is always the beginning of greater things for all.”

In her submission, Sowemimo, the first child in a family of four, who already qualified as an associate of accounting technician in December 2016, said accounting has always been her passion, adding, “I love studying and teaching accounting.”

She said she began to pursue professional programmes after her secondary education. “I started the foundation level of ICAN called the ATWA. I started from ATS I and while I was preparing for ATS II was when I got admission into MAPOLY. MAPOLY also contributed to my study in these programmes in that what we did at our National Diploma (ND) level were related to the foundation level of ICAN at ATS I and ATS II and I gained more knowledge by gaining admission and receiving lectures in MAPOLY. I did Economics and Accounting at ATS I which we did here in ND I and also Communication Skills and for ATS II, I did Statistics and Public Sector Accounting which we did at ND II. All those things helped me so much that it would have been nearly impossible for me to achieve this without those lectures.”

Asked if one must be proficient in mathematics to succeed in the study of accountancy Sowemimo said, “we have different opinions on that but I think there is more to accounting than what people think. They may think it is just about the writing aspect but there is mathematics in accounting. You have to be mathematically versed before you can venture into accounting.”

On how she was able to combine academics with professional programmes she said: “It was not easy but I had to cope. I always had a conflict of interest on whether to come to school or go for my professional lectures. We always have our priorities and we also know what should come first. It was not as easy for me but all thanks to God. I knew what I wanted and I knew how to prioritise.

“Also, determination and discipline helped me, there were times I had lectures here in MAPOLY and my ICAN examination was close, I stayed at home to read for the exams and thereby missed out of lectures at that period. There were also times I had to leave ICAN for school. I prioritised what I wanted from the many that I had at hand. All of those times, I didn’t attend any social gathering though I was an honorary member of the Excel Assembly Foundation. In fact, I was not committed to it.”

On how she surmounted the challenges at the time, she said, “the exams affected my grades here on campus. My expectation was to finish with distinction, but when I started moving close to it, it was late. I had 3.36 in my first semester ND I, but it was not enough because I knew what I wanted. I had 3.85 in the first semester of my second year but cumulatively, it only moved towards distinction but not distinction in the end.”

Asked how she felt when she passed these examinations, she said, “I was happy because at the end of it all; it was worth it and I have some dignity with my name. I felt I have set a good path for my siblings to emulate being the first of four and knowing how impressed my parents were, I felt fulfilled. I felt it was a reward for my grades that dropped in school. It was more like compensation. It filled the gap left by my average grades.”

Sowemimo, whose role models include the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Accountant-General of Ogun State, Pastor Joseph Aborewa and some of her lecturers, aspires to become a renowned chartered accountant.

“I looked up to great prospects ever since I was young. Qualifying as a chartered accountant does not make you renowned but I am planning to become a versatile one that deals with accuracy and integrity. I love to become a point of reference to generations and I love to be a motivational speaker.”

She also advised other students to set their priorities right as a way of improving on their academics. “They should have priorities. My opinion can be different from someone else’s but when you know what you aspire to become, you will know what you want to work towards. I also believe in the fact that you should expect the unexpected and if possible, become the unexpected. What you do not sacrifice for will later be your sacrifice.

“As students, you must know what you want and you must set your priorities right. You shouldn’t do things because you want people to feel you, you should rather do things based on personal benefits and how they benefit your future. You should be futuristic. When I was missing classes, some of my mates thought I was unserious, I didn’t look at them because I knew what I wanted and I knew what to do to get them.”

To the lecturers and management of MAPOLY, Sowemimo said: “they should be considerate with the 70 per cent attendance required of each student. Sometimes the fact that you are not in school for classes does not mean you are unserious. It is a fact they must understand. 70 per cent attendance makes students committed but the management should be considerate.”

SOURCE: thisdaylive.com

MAPOLY - MAUSTECH CRISIS BY LANRE ADENIJI

Setting a pace among other states in the nation, Ogun state is regarded as the hub of tertiary education in Nigeria with over twenty-one tertiary institutions located across the state. This feast isn’t achievable without the inclusion of the state owned institutions that have served in various capacities in producing top-notch graduates and well enlightened individuals fit to contribute their various quota to the development of the state and the country at large.

Lack of proper funding has however militated extensively and for too long across board against the stunning development of the state owned institutions. Amongst these institutions include Moshood Abiola polytechnic which like any other state owned tertiary institution in Ogun state has long been left to shoulder by itself all financial responsibilities that has arisen in the course of running the activities of the polytechnic with only internally generated revenue and without financial support from the state government. In 2012, the then Commissioner of Education, Mr. John Odubela announced the scrapping of Tai Solarin University of education and a merge of the programmes being offered to the faculty of education, Olabisi Onabanjo University. One the major reasons was due to funding which the commissioner was qouted as saying “gulped a lot of money from the government”. After several protests and the loss of the life of a students of the institution, Humble Tee-Jee, during one of the protests, the decision was reversed. This later led to the loss of accreditation of some of the major courses the institution had previously offered.

Olabisi onabanjo University, one of Nigeria’s finest state varsity suffered similar fate in the hand of the government when it became poorly funded and lecturers became tired of teaching on empty bellies and failed promises. Trade union dispute accompanied by several industrial action was the order of the day until the immediate past vice chancellor, Prof Saburi Adesanya took the mantle of leadership from his predecessor and delineated lasting solutions to the issue of fund which included hike in fees. Other polytechnics were not spared as some ICT schools which include D.S Adegenro, Gateway, and Abraham Adesanya were at that time proposed to be merged. Not only has the government failed in funding these schools to compete globally with others, it has also shown a care free attitude toward commitment to the project of having capable and fully-baked graduates turned out into the society by our state owned schools.

As much as having a state owned university in the capital appears to be a welcome development, a decision embraced by the people of Abeokuta and its environs and looks unharmful to unsuspecting natives of the state, the idea at best would can only pitch the government against her workers who have served endlessly, giving their all in all in different regards, towards the success of this government and the smooth activities of MAPOLY. To successfully run a university, man power with the highest academic qualifications are bestowed upon, the mandate to impact knowledge. This is however not really the case in the polytechnic where having the highest academic qualification is not the major criterion towards impacting knowledge. It therefore connotes that a successful incorporation of previous academic staff into the newly birthed MAUSTECH is unrealistic except if sentiments should overshadow the universal standard. This idea would therefore lead to lost of jobs of those who have pledged undivided loyalty to the government and have dedicated their youthfulness to the service of Ogun state.

The government of Ogun state under Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s led administration had initially complained of having to finance too many institutions as a reason for inadequate and subsequent relinquishment of funding of her institutions. The hasty decision to upgrade one of the foremost polytechnics in the country to a university may spell doom for subsequent administrations in government who may eventually inherit an institution upgraded on the alter of regional politics without proper funding. Isn’t such a terrible inheritance?

The cost of pronouncing a “site” as a university is not as much as setting it up to standard and getting it to compete nationally and globally with ivy league schools. As it’s really unfair to birth a child into the world of hunger and maltreatment, so is it detrimental to the good people of Ogun state to have a university to has no provision for state of the art facilities. It is erroneous to assume that a polytechnic as MAPOLY which has funded itself over the years with IGR, bleeding for lack of fund and state of the art equipment would run successfully as a university on the same idea.

It is however rather unfortunate that state institutions in Ogun state are now a shadow of what they used to be, laboratories are filled with archaic equipment, those not able to stand the test of time, buildings are deteriorating on daily basis and the fewer classrooms are available, ones which are still overcrowded. The tides of development seem to have flowed pass the gates of our institutions and the light of hope gets dimmer day after day. Government should see funding of education as a primary assignment to liberate the natives of Ogun state from the shackles of illiteracy instead of playing regional politics with the at the detriment of our futures and that of our children. Having two poorly funded university and getting stuck at the middle a crisis in establishing another isn’t eradicating illiteracy but having one that competes globally with ivy league schools.