Drama as student, lecturer exchange words in class room

There was a mild drama in HND1 department of Mass communication following a disagreement between a lecturer and a student.

PCM gathered that the disagreement erupted when a Senior Lecturer at the department, Wasiu Tejuosho claimed that one of his past students often pay him N250,000, a week before Ileya festival, as a means of appreciation.

It was observed that a student screamed at the top of his voice, shouting ‘na lie’.

Following the student’s claim, the class turned a market where noise got to the verge of calling the attention of the lecturer, thereby disrupting the class activities.

However, the lecturer, on an attempt to get the accused student, called on the school securities arresting over 15 students of the class for interrogation before nemesis caught up with the suspects.

The accused student, as at the time of filing this report was dragged to the school security unit for punishment

Protest in MAPOLY, as graduating students allege plots to delay NYSC deployment

Fresh report reaching Maustech News as at PRESS TIME from Abeokuta this morning Monday March 26 has it that HND II Graduating  students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic are strongly protesting alleged plots and plans by the institution’s management  and lecturers to delay their deployment for the compulsory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Scheme which they’re due for.

According to some of the protesting students,  “ASUP MAPOLY has allegedly deliberately refused to release results for all levels while the current graduands won’t go for NYSC until November 2018”.

Source: News Flakes NG

NO PROTEST TODAY AS STUDENT TO RESTATEGIES PLAN

We need to re-strategies and come out with another plan i.e next move and where to meet. For the blackweek.

You agree with me that some of us (Mapaites Students) still at the police custody, which NANS chairman #Movement assure us of their bail, so we can't go on street for the protest when some of us in police custody.

After proper strategy and consultation, we shall back on black week but let's leave tomorrow for good plan.

God bless Nigeria Students.
God bless Mapaites.

PROTEST: Mapoly Students Declares "BLACK WEEK" In Abeokuta (See Facebook/Whatsapp Screenshot) #SaveMapoly

The #SaveMapoly Campaign, the Average Nigerian Student Dilemma and Need for Proactive Policies

Olanrewaju Oyedeji 

When I woke up and saw students thronging to the social media with their hashtags, right in my head I knew they have been frustrated and saw the Need to act. 
Nonetheless , it Is worrisome that even with the embarrassing state of Nigerian Education and what students are made to pass through, constant disagreements on policies continue to ravage our campuses. 
I have heard arguments that politicians act the way they do because they don't have their kids in Nigerian public Varsities, while I agree to some extent, I believe it still boils down to lack of basic urge for responsibility. It is funny that it is when students file out or launch a Social Media campaign that conflicts receive very fast pace of resolution. In a situation where the world is clamoring for better Educated individuals, it is funny that our own country keep diminishing in quality but improves in quantity. 
One can begin to ask questions of if the Ogun State Government made a unilateral decision in deciding to turn Mapoly to a University, in a normal setting, the staff Union should be carried along when the decisions were made. 
It seems in Nigeria we care less about the time factor, administrators sometimes I think feel students should be ready to wait even longer. 

A responsible government should not wait till students protest or take policies that would harm them. 
While it is encouraging that students now explore the Social and Digital Media, the fundamental question one needs to ask is why disagreements need to take place from time to time in Nigerian Education sector, there has been arguments that Education is too cheap in Nigeria but Education especially for a developing country like ours should be made accessible for as low as possible. 
The #SaveMapoly Campaign shows the continued dearth we have in the Education sector, the need to revamp the sector and the need to allow more funding which would be monitored from time to time. 
Sometimes it's not just about establishing a University, it's about not delaying even the future of the thousands of students policies affect, only those that take Education seriously, build a future. 
All stakeholders should join the voice to #SaveMapoly and bring everyone to listen to the plight of this beautifully made students even as they cry in pain.

See Screenshot below:

ASUP MAPOLY CALL OFF STRIKE TO JOIN GENERAL ASUP STRIKE

This is to inform the entire students of MAPOLY that the ASUP MAPOLY chapter has suspended her local strike today but also proceeded immediately  on the national ASUP strike.

Note:
The academic activities will resume on campus immediately the NATIONAL ASUP STRIKE is suspended.

Yours in struggle :
RX  TECH  (Comrade) POVIESI DANIEL
ASSOPATS PRESIDENT ELECT

©ASSOPATS EXECURIVES

SAVEMAPOLY - DAY2 - WHY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD CALL ON THE OGUN STATE GOVERNMENT

We are writing to the Federal government of Nigeria to help us ask the state government why it has been difficult for Ogun state government to meet with the demand of Asup Mapoly when the future of over 25,000 students are at stake.

Asup Mapoly demands

1. 1. Admission of N.D into Mapoly or Ogun state Poly (ipokia) 
2. 2. Payment of Outstanding 2month salaries 
3. 3. Written Agreement that Ogun state government will continue to pay them for the next 4yrs that Mapoly will exist for before going into extinction.

Greatest Nigerian Student! we could recall that the state government instruct the school management not to admit for 2017/18 academic session where as the state Government have not be the one sponsoring the payment of staff salaries instead this is done by the school management her self.
For Ogun State govt to put the school source of income on hold that means their should be a proper funding and paying of salaries from the govt,which reverse  is the case now.

I also want us to have it in mind that these lecturers are parent that depend on their salary for survival, why are you not paying them Ogun state govt?
Why is it HARD or difficult for Ogun state government to give Asup Mapoly a written document that they will continue to pay their salaries for the next 4years.

Join us live on FACEBOOK by 3pm as we will be talking to our past union leaders and Nans Ogun jcc chairman to discuss why they have been silent over this issue.
Thanks
Number to call in live on Facebook
08096517799

For inquiries call #SAVEMAPOLY awareness team
Dasilva 08182076157
Ifedayo 08188902246
Ayotomiwa 08139384063
Felix 07031066816

Join the Awareness on Twitter
@savemapoly

A.G RECTOR TO MEET AMOSUN - MAPOLY CRISIS

Holds closed door meeting with students’ leaders In a bid to resolve the crisis between the Ogun state

government and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, MAPOLY Chapter, the Acting Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Mr Salimon Tella has disclosed his plan to meet with the State governor, Senator Ibikule Amosun today over the issue.

The Ag. Rector disclosed this during a closed door meeting he had with some departmental Presidents, Director of student’s affairs, Speaker of Students Representative council and the Chairman of National association of Nigeria Students NANS Ogun State Axis in his office. The meeting which hold for an hour came less than 24 hours after the students threatened to shut down the school gate to protest why their examination is put to Ransom.

The Chairman of National association of Nigerian students Ogun Axis, Comrade Olawale Balogun said, they (students) have discussed with the A.g Rector on how the students can write their second semester examination as soon as possible. He added that the acting rector has promised the students’ leaders to meet the governor today on how the crisis can be resolved. "The Ag. Rector has said that he will get to us through the D.S.A to report his meeting resolutions with the governor”, he said.

PRESS CLUB also learnt that the Rector was said to have assured the students that examination would commence soon. Also speaking with PRESS CLUB, the Director of students Affairs, Town planner Luke called for students’ calmness, saying that the management is taking proactive measures in resolving the issues.

According to him, the school management is seriously working on how students can return to school and write their examination.

It would be recalled that the Academic Staff union of the institution on Friday embarked on an indefinite strike over the controversy that trails the conversion of MAPOLY to MAUSTECH and the establishment of Ogun Poly, Ipokia.

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

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*

REVISED 2ND SEMESTER 2016/2017 ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta revised 2nd semester 2016/2017 academic calender has been released.

1. Mon 23rd October - Saturday 4th
(i) Resumption of academic activities

2. Mon 30th October - Saturday 4th November
Student Union Election activities

3. Mon 6th November - Saturday 18th November
2nd Semester Examination
(i) All HND full-time & part-time students
(ii) All full-time & part-time students in SENG, SENVS, SST; ND1 OTM & Only full-time ND1 Mass com

4. Mon 20th November - Saturday 25th November
Break/ Preparation for 2nd phase of the Examination

5. Mon 27th November - Saturday 9th December
2nd Semester Examination (Phase II)
(I) All full-time & part-time ND student in SBMS
(II) All NDII full-time & part-time student in other schools
(III) All part-time ND1 student in Masscom
(IV) Other CBTE (ND and all HND students) shall be conducted within this 2 week period.

6. Saturday 9th December, 2017
End of 2nd Semester Examination

7. Mon 27th November, 2017 - Friday 2nd March, 2018.
SIWES Program involving ND1 students in 4 schools:
SCIT, SENG, SENVS & SST

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 Resumes Academic Activities - ASUP MAPOLY CHAPTER

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta, Chapter has decided to suspend the ongoing industrial action and resumed full academic activities on Monday 23rd October, 2017.

The Union took the decision at its congress held on Friday October 20, 2017.

It would be recalled that the Union has been on a work-to-rule since September 18 of this year, which consequently resulted in the suspension of the school’s second semester examination.

Chairman of MAPOLY ASUP, Comrade Kola Abiola, while briefing journalists after the meeting alleged that the government did not only ignore its letters and communiqués but also paid half salaries of September to staff of the institution.

He said, “60% of salaries of September is yet to be paid and the assurance for salaries of October is not guaranteed, even according to the governor”

However, the union out of trust for the new rector resolved to suspend the ‘work to rule’- an industrial action in which workers are present at work but slow down their operations.

“The Acting Rector, Mr. Ayodeji Tella made series of promises concerning welfare and the admission process as a mark of trust for the rector, we decided to suspend the work-to-rule that we have embarked on”,he said.

The union gave the management two weeks ultimatum to balance the staff salary or witness an indefinite and strongly marked industrial dispute.

Mr. Abiola said, “we have given the management two weeks ultimatum in which the balance of the 60% of last month salary should be paid and ND1 admission into either Ogun state Polytechnic, Ipokia or/and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta should commence”.

“If you don’t admit into either of the two schools this year, that means that one academic session is lost and it has an implication with the regulatory authority” he explained.

The union stated some other conditions which include a reply to its last communiqué dated 1st October, 2017 by the Honorable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology.

Abiola said, “At the end of the two weeks, if these conditions are not met, then the union would have no choice but to declare industrial dispute with the management of MAPOLY”.

When asked about the date for the commencement of the exam, he said it was not in the position of the union to tell when to start exam because “it is the prerogative of the management to arrange the calendar and decide when to start exam”.

Meanwhile, the governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosu has earlier in the day assured students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic at a Town Hall meeting for 2018 budget, that the school may start exam on Monday.

He said, “Before I left for Abuja yesterday, I met with your new rector and I asked him about the exam. He said he was looking at Monday next week…. You may start on Monday.

Comrade Abiola refuted the governor’s claim saying “our decisions were not borne out of any intimidation by anybody. What we have done as academic staff is not to confront anybody but to ask that the basic welfare of the people you want to move to the new location of the school should be paramount”

He claimed that no lecturer is bordered about going to the newly established Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia but the government should put into cognizance the conduciveness of the said institution and the welfare of lecturers.

“We have asked the government not to engage in illegality. Ogun state polytechnic is not known by law. Why do you want to move staff that are employed by a legal entity to a school that does not have any legal standing” he queried”

Signed:

Comrade Poviesi Daniel Pastor Dee

ASSOPATS PRESIDENT ELECT 

Broadcast by;

Mido-lee 

Assopat PRO 2 elect

UPDATES ON MAPOLY 2016/2017 SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATION

Consequent to the proposed move by some section of the MOSHOOD ABIOLA POLYTECHNIC LECTURERS to conduct the 2ND SEMESTER EXAMS  but withhold the candidate results (G.P).

Resolution was passed in the meeting today for those who opted for the above and those against,Four (4) opted for the above , as Against (75).

Therefore it was concluded it would be a slap on their faces if they conducted​ the Exams due to SALIMANS (Ag Rector) introduction and a betrayal on their own Part to erstwhile​ Rector Prof Itiola.

However, there is a shift to conducting the exams come November/December.

Reason due

By January Amosun would be in a tight corner to adhere to the wishes of populace as Election campaigns will be the order of the day.

MAPOLY WILL STILL BE IN EXISTENCE IN FOUR YEARS- AMOSUN (See Photos)

MAPOLY WILL STILL BE IN EXISTENCE IN FOUR YEARS- AMOSUN

* Appoints Acting Rector

* As students protest state of education in the State

Michael Adesanya

Abeokuta

Against insinuations that the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Ojere, Abeokuta, Ogun State has gone into extinction over the upgrading of the school to a University status, the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has said the school would still be in existence for the next four years.

Amosun disclosed this while speaking to the State students who came in their hundreds to his Oke-Mosan Governor's Office, Abeokuta to protest the state of education in the State.

The State recently upgraded MAPOLY to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (MAUSTECH) and created Ogun State Polytechnic which would be located at Ipokia area of the State.

The placard carrying students under the aegis of National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Ogun axis began their protest at the National Nigeria Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Abiola Way down to the Governor's Office where the demonstration was terminated.

They tagged their action "Rescue Ogun State Education Campaign (ROSEC)". Some of the placard inscriptions read: " Save Ogun State education ", " Education must survive" and "Mapoly must survive".

The Chairman of Ogun NANS, Comrade Olawale Balogun told the Governor that the students was not happy with the State of education in the State, urging the government to address the issue as a matter of urgency.

He specifically mentioned the delay in the commencement of the examination of MAPOLY, saying the action would affect the career of the students.

Balogun said the association was not in tune with the cancellation of the payment of West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and the hike in the Acceptance fee of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.

The Governor said the State government is working hard to improve the standard of education in the State.

On MAPOLY, Amosun disclosed that it was their lecturers who were delaying their exams, saying he has explained to them the issues in clear terms.

He said the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) of the school would be invited immediately to address the issue.

The Governor said the students who were currently running various programmes at different levels would finished their studies, insisting that no student would be taken to Ipokia.

Amosun emphatically said that there would not be automatic appointment for the aggrieved lecturers in both the University and the new polytechnic, insisting they would have to apply for the new ones.

"I am not happy because this my school. What is happening today is because those that have been given the privilege to serve us are not serving well"

" Everybody here (current MAPOLY students) will finish their courses, it will take four years before MAPOLY will go into extinction, You are not going to Ipokia . If the lecturers don't want that, we will sort them out"

On the University and new Polytechnic, he said "We will sort for new lecturers for the university and the new poly.  Mapoly lecturers are not comfortable with it, I said the appointment they have is for MAPOLY, for the new University, they will have to reapply. If they are qualified, they can take them".

"I will ask the Commissioner to meet them again".

On the delay exams, the Governor stressed "They cannot hold us to Ransom, they will explain to us why there is delay but it cannot be because we are creating new schools".

"We are only admitting ND 1. We are not admitting any student to Mapoly. We are not sacking anybody, we are not taking them automatically. Why should we carry another place problem to new one.

"We are only admitting ND one. If you have carryover you are going to Ipokia. I told them (management) don't admit new students to MAPOLY".

He added "Education will be free at the primary and secondary schools, for tertiary we will subsidise it".

Meanwhile, the Rector of the school, Prof Oladele Itiola has proceeded on his terminal leave.

The State government in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo  Adeoluwa however appointed, Mr Ayodeji Salimon as the Acting Rector of the school with immediate effect.  

See More Photos:

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

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 - 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.