By Abiodun Lawal
Old students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, on Thursday held a ground breaking event for the construction of ‘Marketing House’ for the institution worth N80 million.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the old students are those of 1994 set from the marketing department.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Rector of the institution, Dr Adeoye Odedeji, appreciated the alumni for remembering their Alma matter.
Odedeji said that government alone could not fund education, hence the need for kind-hearted individuals, groups and associations to support in the provision of amenities.
He said that the polytechnic had decided to emphasise entrepreneurship programmes in order to encourage skills acquisition among the students.
The rector further said that in line with the decision, the school would, in the near future, start the issuance of dual certificates to its graduates.
”This is one for the courses the students studied while the other is on the skills acquired,” he said.
Odedeji recalled that when the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, assumed duty, he stressed the need to mobilise alumni associations in various higher institutions because government alone could not fund education.
“I want to thank the 1994 set for the kind gesture. There have been other alumni associations that have equally made their presence felt in the school,” he said.
President of the set, Mr Adeyanju Adelakun, said it had become imperative to give back to the school, hence the donation of the building.
Adelakun stated that the project would be completed by December, adding that everything that would be needed was already in place.
“We want to give back to the school that moulded us. We came together and decided we are going to do it.
“The project will cost N80 million and I can assure you we are going to achieve it.
“The building is going to be 21st century-compliant and we have also put into consideration people living with disabilities in the construction of the building,” he said.
Also speaking, the architect in charge of the building, Mr Olufemi Fabuyi, explained that the project would be electronic-compliant.
Fabuyi put the ground floor area of the building at approximately 500 square metres, and the first floor at approximately 150 square metres.
NAN
