Education
New UI VC, Adebowale promises to run a God-fearing administration
The 13th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, has promised to run an administration that is God-fearing.
Adebowale made this pledge on Monday at the inauguration service held at the Chapel of the Resurrection of the institution marking his assumption of office, in a statement by the University’s Director of Public Communication, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo.
The new VC said: “What I am saying is a covenant with God. By the special grace of God, we will run an administration that is God-fearing, an administration that seeks service and pursues the welfare of everyone, not minding their ethnicity, faith, and creed. Only a fair administration, even, and just in leading people can bring glory to God’s name.”
The Professor of industrial chemistry highlighted three reasons why the occasion was not a mere ritual or a flimsy event.
According to him, “First, it is our way of saying despite all that we know; despite all our publications, human networks, experience in administration and much more that we may have, we reverence God as the Alpha – that is the Beginning – and the Omega that is the End. And if He is the Beginning, then it is apposite that tenure like mine should begin in His presence. We are nothing, I am nothing, absolutely nothing, without Him.
“Ours is a community of scientists where science is exalted sometimes above other things. Yet, the more science we know, the deeper our thirst for God often becomes. The late Emeritus Professor of History, Prof. Ade Ajayi once said that a good historian whose heart is truly committed to history cannot but be a Christian believer. More and more scientists – from evolutionists to chaos theorists – are beginning to see God where scientific explanations terminate.
“Second, it is our way of giving thanks to Him. We stand here today because He decreed it. A year or more ago, and, until the late hours of 14 October, 2021, no one could have said he or she knew with any certainty that this day would come to pass. He opens the door and no one closes it; He closes the door and no one opens it. To him alone be all glory.
“Third, this is our opportunity to ask Him and all His people here present to please go with us. Moses told Him, “if your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” and He agreed to go with Moses into the Promised Land. I wish to appeal to Him and you all afresh for continued support in prayers and other forms. Please, go with me – to the Promised Land – in your prayers and other forms of support.”
In his exhortation themed “By His strength, no man shall be there”, the Chaplain of the Chapel of the Resurrection, University of Ibadan, the Very Rev. Dr. Olufikayo Kunle Oyelade said UI needs revival and “I know the time is now.”
“For all the aspirants for the post of VC, the Chaplain who tied his exhortation to the scriptures said “it is not that you are not qualified, God may have another plan for you. We get the positions but God gives the blessing.”.
He told the new VC “It is not because you are the best among the candidates, but God has destined it. The road may be rough, but God who has chosen you will not forsake you.”
Rev. Oyelade appealed to all the University’s stakeholders to give peace a chance to move the University forward, stressing that “UI is our collective treasure whose glory must be sustained.”
The new Vice-Chancellor succeeds Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, whose tenure ended on November 30, 2020.
Present at the occasion were the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka; Immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebola Babatunde Ekanola; Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Faluyi; University Librarian, Dr. Helen Komolafe-Opadeji, Provost, College of Medicine, Prof. Olayinka Omigbodun; members of the UI’s Governing Council: Prof. Olawale Ogunkola, Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, Prof. Elsie Adewoye, Mr. Taiwo Semowo; Prof. ‘Deji Omole, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso; Prof. Olusegun Ajiboye, Registrar and Chief Executive, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN); members of the University community and other well-wishers.
The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede (FEDPA), Oyo State, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, has been honoured with the Leadership Excellence and Education Icon Award in recognition of his contributions to the education sector and national development.
The award was presented by Bollyjoe Media Communications Ltd, a media and communications firm based in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Wednesday.
Presenting the award, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Joseph Uzuakpundu Bollyjoe, said Abdul-Hameed was recognised for his selfless service and transformative leadership within Nigeria’s polytechnic education system.
He noted that under the Rector’s stewardship, the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, had witnessed strategic reforms aimed at strengthening academic standards and promoting institutional stability.
According to him, the Rector’s policies have repositioned the institution for sustainable growth and aligned its technical education programmes with global best practices.
Since assuming office, the Rector has prioritised infrastructural development, administrative discipline and innovation-driven governance, earning commendations from stakeholders.
Reacting to the honour, Abdul-Hameed, described the award as a motivation to further deepen reforms and consolidate on existing achievements.
“This recognition is not just personal; it reflects the dedication of our management, staff and students who share the vision of building a globally competitive institution,” the Rector said.
He added that the polytechnic would remain committed to excellence, integrity and continuous development in line with national educational aspirations.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday described the Federal Polytechnic Ayede as the best-performing among federal polytechnics established in 2021, commending its infrastructural expansion and academic stability as the institution graduated 325 students at its maiden convocation ceremony.
Tinubu, who is the Visitor to the institution, was represented by the Director, Polytechnics and Allied Institutions, Dr. Usman Ejeh. He said the polytechnic’s achievements within five years were “remarkable and strategic,” adding that its growth aligns with the Federal Government’s reform agenda for technical and vocational education.
“The Federal Polytechnic Ayede has distinguished itself among its peers established in 2021. Its commitment to infrastructure, skills acquisition, and academic stability clearly positions it as a model institution,” he said.
The President noted that his administration had introduced key reforms, including the students’ loan scheme under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, curriculum modernisation, infrastructural renewal, and digital skills expansion to reposition the education sector.
“We are determined to build institutions that will produce innovators, entrepreneurs, and solution providers for our economy,” he added, urging the management to consolidate on existing gains.
Earlier, the Rector, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, described the combined convocation for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions as a defining milestone in the institution’s history.
“We gather here today to officially present to the world the first set of graduates produced by the Federal Polytechnic Ayede. This indeed calls for celebration,” he said.
The rector expressed appreciation to Tinubu for policies aimed at strengthening technical education and acknowledged the support of regulatory and funding agencies, including the National Board for Technical Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, for accreditation and infrastructural interventions that accelerated the institution’s development.
He disclosed that 138 students graduated in the 2023/2024 session and 187 in the 2024/2025 session, bringing the total number of graduands to 325.
According to him, Miss Taiwo Ibukunoluwa Arinola of Science Laboratory Technology and Mr. Olapese Quadri Ayofe of Agricultural Technology emerged as the overall best graduating students for their respective sessions with a cumulative grade point average of 3.96.
Beyond the award of National Diploma certificates, Abdul-Hameed said each graduand obtained at least two additional vocational certifications through the Centre for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development.
“Our graduates are not just job seekers but employers of labour. We have deliberately equipped them with relevant entrepreneurial and technical competencies,” he said, adding that 68 major projects had been executed across the temporary and permanent sites through TETFund interventions, Federal Government appropriations, and donor support.
The projects, he said, include a main administrative building, ICT centre, health centre, engineering workshops, and improved power infrastructure, while the institution also recorded over 64 research projects and nine TETFund-supported fabrication innovations. He also reaffirmed the polytechnic’s resolve to relocate fully to its permanent site in Ayede, Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area, and appealed for improved access roads and hostel accommodation.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Hon. Yakubu Dati, described the ceremony as a celebration of vision and collective commitment, urging government, corporate organisations, and well-meaning Nigerians to support the institution with critical infrastructure, particularly road networks and student hostels, through direct intervention or Public-Private Partnership arrangements. He commended the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, and the host community for sustaining a peaceful environment, and appreciated the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, who was also the guest lecturer, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, for supporting the construction of an access road to the institution.
Fellowship awards were conferred on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji; and Dr Abubakar Isa.
The event attracted traditional rulers, including the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye; the Timi of Ede, Oba Adesola Munirudeen Lawal; and the Aresa of Iresapupa, Oba Moses Olayiwola Ajiboye, as well as Senators Ayo Adeseun, Abdulfatai Buhari, prominent Ogbomoso leaders, rectors of sister polytechnics, scholars, and other dignitaries.
Education
Oyo: Speaker Abbas, NRS Chair, Adedeji to Attend Ayede Polytechnic’s Maiden Convocation as 325 Set to Graduate
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas, and the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adelabu Adedeji, will on Thursday grace the maiden combined convocation ceremony of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State, where no fewer than 325 students will be awarded National Diploma certificates.
The Pioneer Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, disclosed this on Monday during a pre-convocation press conference at the institution’s Permanent Site in Ayede, describing the event as “a defining milestone” in the history of the young federal institution.
“This is the first convocation of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, since its establishment on January 19, 2021, and it marks our transition from take-off to consolidation,” the Rector said.
Abdul-Hameed said the speaker would chair the convocation lecture, while the NRS boss, Adedeji would deliver the lecture titled, ‘The Role of Technology in Implementing Nigeria’s New Tax Laws: Challenges and Prospects’, noting that the calibre of invited dignitaries reflected the institution’s rising national profile.
“The presence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service underscores the growing relevance of the Polytechnic in national development discourse,” he said.
According to the Rector, the combined convocation covers the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions and will span six days, featuring a novelty football match, convocation lecture, award of National Diploma certificates, and the conferment of fellowship honours.
He disclosed that 138 students completed their programmes in the 2023/2024 academic session, while 187 students graduated in the 2024/2025 session, bringing the total number of graduands to 325.
On academic expansion, Abdul-Hameed said the Polytechnic commenced academic activities in 2023 with four National Diploma programmes but has grown to run 13 fully accredited ND programmes across five schools.
“We currently operate across the Schools of Engineering, Environmental Technology, Management Sciences, Science and Technology, and Agricultural Technology, all with full NBTE accreditation,” he stated.
The Rector attributed the institution’s rapid growth to sustained support from the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside interventions from the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education, and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
“These interventions have strengthened our capacity in programme accreditation, staff development, and infrastructure delivery,” he said.
Abdul-Hameed further revealed that the Polytechnic had executed 68 major infrastructural, ICT, and utility projects across its Permanent and Temporary campuses, adding that work was ongoing on the access road linking the Permanent Site from Idi-Araba.
“While we have made significant progress, we still require support in access roads, student hostels, power supply, water facilities, and digital infrastructure to sustain our growth,” the Rector appealed.
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