The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso has declared its commitment to partnering with the newly established Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo state to ensure smooth take-off of the federal institution.
LAUTECH gave the assurance through its University Committee on Academic Collaborations (UCAC) while paying a courtesy call on the rector of the institution, Dr Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, at his office on Tuesday.
The committee, led by renowned historian, Prof. Dele Afolabi, also pledged that the University would provide the required support for the process, saying that “LAUTECH and Federal Polytechnic, Ayede coming together as members of the same family for the interest of Ogbomoso community”.
Addressing journalists, the UCAC Chairman, Afolabi said LAUTECH as a university has offered to support the Federal Polytechnic Ayede to smoothly take off, stressing that the two institutions would blend in academic collaborations.
The don said, ” it is a normal academic exercise, brotherliness. LAUTECH and Federal Polytechnic, Ayede coming together as members of the same family for the interest of Ogbomoso community.
“LAUTECH as a university has offered to support Federal Polytechnic Ayede to smoothly take off. My committee will give a report to the Vice-chancellor who will present it to the Senate for noting and we assure you that LAUTECH will accept it because we suspect nobody wants to face the wrath of the Ogbomoso community, so nobody can say no to the collaboration for the support LAUTECH should provide for a tertiary institution that wants to take off like this.”
He further disclosed that the area of collaboration would include technological advancement, among others
“This is a federal Polytechnic and LAUTECH is a University of technology so the two will blend on academic collaborations for the Polytechnic to take off properly since for now, the physical facilities are not there. Then it’s a welcome development for the two, and for LAUTECH to support Federal Polytechnic Ayede for proper takeoff
“One important thing is the human factor. Even when you have the physical facilities and the human factor is not there, then there is a problem but for now, what we have seen so far as the human factor is that it’s one family and everybody is happy. Nobody is sad working in this kind of environment, everybody is happy, the rector is happy, the registrar is happy, every member of staff are happy and the host communities including Ayede and Iresa its temporary site. Once the human factor is receptive the institution will grow.
“When LAUTECH was created, we were all carrying chairs and tables on our heads, to move to offices but anybody that gets an appointment in LAUTECH now already has his own office,” he recalled.
The UCAC chair continued, “For any pioneering efforts, you have to make some sacrifices. For you that are pioneer staff, you are making necessary sacrifices and whoever becomes rector in the next twenty or thirty years won’t know this place but it is the rector that will know that though they didn’t take off in the permanent site that you’re likely to move to anytime you want to move to.
“So, pioneering anything is not easy, you have to make some sacrifices which it’s just a matter of time, in the next one or two years you would have overcome. Then, that is when you know that Rome wasn’t built in a day. It is not only Rome that wasn’t built in a day but Federal Polytechnic Ayede cannot be built in a day,” Afolabi added.
Speaking earlier, the rector, Dr Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, thanked the committee, noting that the partnership would not only shore up productivity but also will go a long way in promoting technical education among the Nigerian youths.
While soliciting the support of all and sundry for the institution, the rector reassured that he would ensure synergy with other relevant stakeholders and will keep it up to speed with the progress at all levels.
Dr Abdul-Hameed, however, guaranteed the management’s determination for a harmonious working relationship with stakeholders for the successful operation of the infant institution.
