Kunle ADELABU
The Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu, Mr Samuel Olayinka Sogunro, is already looking beyond the 40 years anniversary that the school is currently celebrating and projecting for next 10 to 20 years.
The Rector declared at the press conference held at the institution’s Governing Council Chamber on Monday, November 12, 2018, to herald the 40th anniversary of the institution which was initially established as the Lagos State College of Science and Technology by the promulgation of Lagos State Edict No. 1 of 1978 with retroactive effect from June 1977.
In 1988, Lagos State Government renamed the institution as Lagos State Polytechnic.
Since its inception, the institution has 11 Governing Council members with the current one being led by Prof Tajudeen G.O. Gbadamosi.
Also at the inception, the Polytechnic had Principals as head of the institution between 1977 and 1984 and later had seven Rectors since 1984 when late Dr (Mrs) H.O. Anjorin (1984 – 1991) became the first Rector while Mr Sogunro Samuel is the current Rector.
Mr Sogunro,while speaking at the press conference, stated:
“Our future plans is, first and foremost, to be ranked among the best institutions in the world”, Mr Sogunro stated.
“We are currently working towards the upgrading of the institution from its polytechnic status to a University but not the conventional type. The aim is to upgrade into a Polytechnic-University and still maintain the institution’s polytechnic components in term of programmes that would be offered.
In an effort to achieving this, the Rector informed that the institution is developing its human capital.
“Presently, the Polytechnic is developing its human capital for the realization of transforming the Polytechnic into a Polytechnic University”, Mr Sogunro stated.
Mr Rector added that the reviewed of the law guiding the Polytechnic in 2012 would also aided the development of the institution and allow it attain its planned upgrading.
He added that unlike before the review, all the state higher institutions were non-residential campuses.
Mr Sogunro, who express confidence over state government’s intervention in this regard, stated that the government is expected to help build hostels while adding that the institution is also doing everything to bring in private investors.
“While we are expecting the State Government’s intervention in this regard since similar gesture has been done in LASU, we are also not resting as we are doing everything to bring in private investors on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement”, he revealed.
Speaking on the giant strides made by the institution in the last 40 years, Mr Rector stated that the Polytechnic, which began lectures in 1978 with 287 pioneer students, has grown tremendously.
“It is appropriate to mention here that the institution, which began lectures in 1978 with 287 pioneer students, has grown tremendously over the years with students spread among Seven (7) Schools for the Full Time and Part Time programmes.These schools are (Agriculture, Communication and Liberal Studies, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Technology, Pure and Applied Sciences, Management and Business Studies.There are 35 departments in the institution.
“Presently the Polytechnic runs 67 programmes on ND and HND levels,adding that the school has produced over one hundred and twenty thousand graduates since inception.
“It might interest you to note that the Polytechnic of Excellence has produced over one hundred and twenty thousand eminent personalities who are outstandingly performing in all works of life.
The Rector also disclosed that Miss Omosalewa Babalola, who graduated in 2014/2015 academic session from the department of Pure and Applied Science, remain the Best Graduating student of the institution since inception with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.0 on a scale of 4.0.
Speaking on recent achievements of the institution, Mr Sogunro stated that the institution has obtained license to run a radio station as well as patent rights for three of the machines developed by the institution.
“We have obtained the LASPOTECH 101.9fm radio station license from the national broadcasting commission and the station has been equipped by the state government for operation.
“We have also obtained patent rights for at least three 3 of the machines developed in the Polytechnic by staff and students; a Fuelless Electric Power Generating Set, Automatic Car Jack and Biogas Energy System.
He also listed other machines developed by the institution to include Palm oil Processing Plant, Bread Wear Sensor on Automobile, Multi-Purpose Juice Extractor, Multi-Purpose threshing, Shelling and Cleaning Machine, Plate Mill, Pneumatic Can Crusher, Robotic Hand, Water Level Controller, Electronic C-Caution, Scrolling Light Display and Intelligent Traffic.
The Rector also stated that the Lagos State Government has significantly given adequate support towards the development of the Polytechnic at various levels.
“The polytechnic’s subvention was increased to N41,067,000.00 by the governor Emeritus, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 1999, while his successor,His Excellency, Mr.Babatunde Raji Fashola, further increased it in May 2011 to N153,000,000.00 and the current governor, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode FCA also increased the subvention to 210,000,000.00 in June 2016 to cater for the needs of the polytechnic.
“The support accorded the polytechnic during its movement to Ikorodu campus in May 2000 and the facilitation of various projects on the Ikorodu campus which include construction of an access road to link the Itokin road; construction of School of Engineering, Environmental Studies, School of Technology complex as well as the ongoing internal road construction, drains and car park around the school of technology complex; Extension of operation light-up Lagos project to the Ikorodu campus of the Polytechnic are among other supports enjoyed by the the institution from successive governments in the state.
Furthermore, the Rector appreciated the host communities of the institution campuses in Isolo, Surulere and Ikorodu for accommodating them since inception.
Listing programmes of activities in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the institution, Mr Sogunro stated that there would be Community Relations programme on Monday November 12, 2018, after the press conference.
Seminar/film show on history of the institution Alumni Association is billed for Tuesday at 500-Seater Auditorium, while a novelty match between the Governing Council/Management and Academic Board is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14.
Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service is billed for Thursday, November 15 at the School of Agriculture Auditorium 500-Seater Lecture theatre while there will be Jumat Service at the institution’s mosque on Friday,November 16.
Dinner/Cultural Night is slated for Saturday, November 17, at the Westown Hotel behind Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, while the anniversary public lecture/exhibition is billed to hold on Tuesday, November 20 and the grand finale of the celebration which is slated for Thursday, November 22, is designed as a day to celebrate long serving staff of the Polytechnic among other programmes.
