Kunle ADELABU
It was a home-coming with nostalgia for many former students of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, as they gathered on the institution’s main campus in Ikorodu under the umbrella of the Lagos State Polytechnic Alumni Association to partake in the ongoing 40 years anniversary of the institution.
The occasion was the ‘Alumni Day’ which was held at the 500-Seater Auditorium of the School of Agriculture at the Ikorodu main campus.
The event also witnessed the conferment of Fellowship award on the former Chief Executive Officer of the First Bank of Nigeria, Mr Bisi Onasanya who was a former student of the institution.
He was honoured with the award based on his contributions to the institution’s development and national growth in different business and academic endeavours.
The Institution’s Rector, Mr Samuel Sogunro, while speaking at the event, charged the Alumni to sponsor an annual seminar for the students of the institution to enlighten them on what the Alumni Association is all about.
While intimating the Alumni on the achievements of the Polytechnic in the last 40 years, Mr Sogunro stated that the institution has proposed to the State Government that the school should be turned into the University of Technology.
He added that “the vision of the institution is to become one of the best in the world”.
The Rector also suggested that the Alumni should also facilitate meetings which could be once or twice a year where issues affecting the school can be discussed.
Mr Muyiwa Oluwole, the President of LASPOTECH Alumni Association, described the gathering as historic and commended the institution for its great strides since inception 40 years ago.
While appreciating suggestions made by the institution’s Rector, Mr Muyiwa assured the school that the Alumni Association will look into them.
The Chairman, Governing Council of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi, in his remarks, stated that the institution has set up what he termed ‘DUPU’ (Development, Digitalization, Principle and Utilization) strategy for its future development.
He stated that the proposed Kings Library by Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, and hostels for the institution would take the institution to a new era in the world of the tertiary institution.
He added that the institution, which is working towards upgrading to the status of a University of Technology should not only have the national ranking but as well as global ranking and external linkage with reputable establishments and centres of learning.
The highpoint of the event was the conferment of the fellowship award on Mr Bisi Onasanya. He was decorated with the fellowship regalia by Prof. Gbadamosi and Mr Sogunro amidst loud ovation and admiration from the gathering.
Shortly after the conferment, the awardee, Mr Bisi Onasanya, in his acceptance speech, stated that he is proud of the institution that made him what he is today.
“I am proud of this institution that made me what I am today. The education that I acquired is the stepping stone of my career”.
While advising the students to start their higher education in the Polytechnic, he pledged to equip the Accountancy department of the institution with necessary technological equipment and also set up an endowment fund for the maintenance of the equipment.
Among those at the event were Mr Ayo Gbeleyi, former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance and the Chairman of the occasion, Principal officers and management team of the institution as well as executive members of the Students Union of the institution among others.
