The Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Mr Samuel Sogunro, has stated that the institution has recorded tremendous achievements under his leadership despite the industrial crisis between the management and staff unions of the polytechnic.
He disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Press Conference for the 27th Combined Convocation Ceremony for the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 sessions held on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at the Council Chamber, Ikorodu Main Campus of the institution.
Sogunro, who became the Rector of the institution in 2015 and would be winding down his 5-year tenure in May this year, stated that the management team under his leadership has recorded tremendous achievements despite the crisis between the management and unions of the Polytechnic over the implementation of the CONTISS 15 salary migration, which started in 2016 but which has received the attention of Governor Sanwo-Olu, who has set up a visiting panel to look into the crisis and report to him.
He explained that the prolonged crisis prevented his administration from achieving some of its objectives, among which was the proposed agricultural project for which the institution had procured hectares of land in Agbowa, Ikorodu.
Sogunro, however, assured that key projects, which his administration has been unable to achieve, would be included in his handover note to enable his successor to work on them.
While addressing the pressmen, the Rector stated that a total number of 16,315 students of the Lagos State Polytechnic would receive their graduation certificates for the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in various disciplines at a combined 27th Convocation ceremony for the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 Academic Sessions.
“The Polytechnic of excellence will present a total number of 16, 315 well-groomed, adequately trained and highly-enterprising graduands who have completed their National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in various disciplines needed for the nation’s socio-economic development, and have acquired at least a vocational skill each at the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition (CESA). While 589 students would be awarded Distinction grades, 5,332, 8,268, and 2,117 students would be presented with Upper Credit, Lower Credit and Pass Classifications respectively”.
He also stated that the institution will confer honorary fellowship awards on two eminent individuals – Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, the founder of the Afe Babalola University, and Alhaji Babatunde Rotinwa, Chairman, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission and a former Head of Service of Lagos State.
On the achievements of the Polytechnic in the last five years, Mr. Sogunro stated that his administration established the LASPOTECH 10.9FM radio station to serve as training ground for students studying Mass Communications. He stated that full broadcasting operation of the station, which, according to him, has been permitted to stream live on the Polytechnic’s website for the coverage of the Convocation Lecture and other ceremonies, would soon fully go on air.
He also announced that the institution has attained technological breakthrough with three inventions. “I am pleased to announce to you that the Polytechnic has secured Patent Rights for three inventions by the Schools of Engineering and Pure and Applied Science – Fuel less Generator, Automatic Car Jack and Bio-Digester. Work is also at an advanced stage on test-running of traffic lights control designs. The Global ranking of the Polytechnic by Webometrics placed LASPOTECH as 5th best polytechnic in Nigeria, and in order to improve on current ranking, the Polytechnic management has constituted ranking committees at the various Schools and Departments to ensure that the entire members of staff align with the Polytechnic’s vision on the global ranking,” he stated.
While stating that the 66 programmes currently being run by the Polytechnic were re-accredited in September 2018, he added that the institution has also secured re-accreditation and approval for resource accreditation for National Diploma in Photography.
“Furthermore, this administration is poised to float another 15 new programmes that are need-based”, Mr. Sogunro stated.
According to the Rector, the new programmes are Transportation Planning Management, Welding and Fabrication Technology, Interior Design, Fashion and Clothing Technology, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Engineering, Nutrition and Diabetics, Foundry Technology, Polymer Science Technology and Environmental Health and Safety Technology. Others are Home and Rural Economics, Agric. Business Management, Library and Information Science, Statistics and Leisure and Tourism