Kunle Adelabu
-Governor Council, outgone acting Rector call for return of peace.
A new Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Dr Nurudeen Olaleye, on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, was sworn in about six months after the expiration of the Mr Samuel Siogunro’s controversial administration.
The Deputy Rector (Academics), Mr Olumide Metilelu, has been in the saddle in the last six months as the acting Rector of the Polytechnic.
The new Rector arrived at the School of Agriculture auditorium, the venue of the inauguration, at 12. 10pm amidst loud ovation from the staff of the institution who welcomed him with Yoruba song, “Kaa bo o, ka abo…” (welcome, welcome…), and took oath of office at 1.15pm under the supervision of the Polytechnic’s legal officer.
Few seconds after taking oath of office, Dr Olaleye was handed instruments of office by the LASPOTECH Registrar, Mr Shakirudeen Adetona Bello and at 1. 18pm, the outgone acting Rector, Mr Olumide Metilelu, formally handed over to him as the substantive Rector of the Polytechnic.
Dr Olaleye bagged his PhD in 2017 in United Kingdom (UK) and has been with the Lagos State Polytechnic in the last twenty years. He is reputed for highly rated academic articles in international journal.
He bagged his first degree and Masters of Science in Microbiology from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, and he was Head of Biological Sciences (2017 till date) and Head of Department Science Laboratory Technology (2016 to 2017), Assistant Director, School of Part Time Studies (Regular) 2011 to 2013, Head of Department, Food Technology (2010 to 2011), SIWES Coordinator, Food Technology Department (2005 to 2009), among other positions he held in LASPOTECH.
The new Rector, in his acceptance, assured the Polytechnic staff and students that his administration will usher in a new era and change the negative narrative about the institution.
“First and foremost, I thank God for making today a reality. It is with His power and permission that I stand before you as the 11th Rector of this great institution. The journey to this day has been challenging and highly demanding but I thank God that we are able to wade through and surmount all odds”, the new Rector said.
“Today marks the beginning of a new era in our Polytechnic. The journey to change the narratives has just begun. Today is the beginning of 1,825 days of this administration. The countdown starts today”, Dr Olaleye said to the staff and students that filled the hall.
The Chairman of the 12th Governing Council of the Polytechnic, Prof. Rasheed Kola Ojikutu in his speech congratulated the new Rector, Dr Nurudeen Olaleye, and urged the Polytechnic community to cooperate with him.
He said that his few encounters with the new Rector revealed that he’s capable of managing the academic environment and provided necessary leadership.
He said that the inauguration of the new Rector is the fifth time in his life and in about two months that he will be meeting the new Rector with first being during the interview of the shortlisted candidates for the position of the Rector in the Polytechnic.
“Despite the fact that our meetings have been far between, yet, I can use these few encounters to infer his characters and personalities. I am sure that he will be a good leader to this community”, he said
“He is a great mentor to his subordinate and lover of the people. I have no doubt in my mind that Dr Olaleye will not depart from our mantra which is fairness and justice to all”, Prof. Ojikutu assured staff and students of the Polytechnic.
“I urge you all to give him maximum cooperation”, he pleaded.
He charged members of the Polytechnic community on the need to change the prevailing narrative in the school and rebrand the negative image and perception of the Lagos State Polytechnic to a more positive one.
“In the past few years, this Polytechnic has deviated markedly from its set goals of promotion of scholarship and leadership in technology to a community where chaos, rancor and avoidable crisis precipitated by false and unfounded rumour mongering are allowed to rule the daily conducts”, he said.
“From the palace of Oba Ayangbure to that of Ranodu of Imota to Adeboruwa of Igbogbo to that of the abode of Eleko in Isale – Eko, the traditional rulers hold tenaciously to the perception that the Lagos State Polytechnic is a troubled spot and centre of confusion”, he said to the members of the Polytechnic community and guests.
“This unfortunate barge is unacceptable on the chest of the foremost tertiary institution in Lagos State and we all should make concerted efforts to appropriately alter this brand to a more positive one”.
He said that the Governing Council and the institution’s management team are ready to provide just and fair leadership for the community.
“Those of us on this side of the divide know that we are all collectively responsible for the crisis, so we can’t blame anyone. We are all collectively responsible. We have taken up the baton of leadership by showing all of us that we shall rule by collective decision and be guided by the rules rather than impunity”, he also assured.
“We shall respect the freedom and rights of individual and work for the benefits of all and sundry in general”.
While stating that the office of the Rector is respected, Prof. Ojikutu also charged the new Rector of the institution, Dr Olaleye, to adopt more of dialogue and engagement in dealing with members of the community.
The Governing Council Chairman also enjoined members of the unions to also engage and dialogue with the management of the institution instead of issuing threats.
“However, in this, we shall insist on respect for the institution of Lagos State Polytechnic, knowing that each of us is transient while the institution is permanent. The office of the Rector must be respected and accorded its position as the foremost and apex of the Lagos State Polytechnic administrative system.
“I am sure that the Rector recognize that there is no shortcut to collective decision but by collective dialogue and that various organs of workers must also know that dialogue without threat and arrogance will bring quick and beneficial solutions to the problem. We can borrow a leaf from the University of Lagos which if its Senate speak, the whole country listens”.
Prof Ojikutu clearly stated that the institution will not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone that attempts to foment trouble again instead of joining the community in finding lasting peace.
“We shall not shy away from imposing proper sanction on any individual who is out to deliberately cause confusion in this community. But we shall religiously do so in accordance with the laws guiding this institution”, he warned.
“Let me state to the members of this academic community that we need to bury the corpse of the past and midwife a new baby for the benefit of the generation yet unborn.
“We assure you all that we shall implement the report of the Visitation panel as soon as it is released”, he said as a rousing ovation from staff took over the hall”.
The Governing Council Chairman also commended the outgone acting Rector and wished him well.
“The former acting Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Mr Olumide Olusola Metilelu, deserves a mention at this moment. He is a very brilliant and astute administrator. I enjoy working with him in the last past four months.
“My prayers are with you as you continue to serve your alma mata as the Deputy Rector (Academics). God Almighty will continue to bless you and protect your family and household”.
Mr Olumide Metilelu, the former acting Rector described the inauguration of a new Rector for the institution as a new dawn and appreciated the Governor and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education (SAE) for the opportunity and support given to him to serve the institution in the capacity of an acting Rector.
“It is indeed a great moment for the entire Polytechnic Community witnessing the inauguration of the 11th Rector of the Polytechnic.
“Let me use this medium to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo – Olu and the SAE, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, for the support extended to the Polytechnic during my tenure since June 1st to November 30, 2020.
“It is in the light of this that I wish to also express my appreciation to the Chairman, Governing Council and the entire members of the 12th Governing Council, for your tremendous support in the last four months out of the six months of my tenure”.
He called for return of peace and harmonious relation within the academic environment.
“I would like you to note that the Polytechnic can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and only motivated work force can contribute meaningfully towards the development of the Polytechnic.
“We have made efforts to lay a good foundation for peace and reconciliation and it is my hope that we will all continue to work as a team for the good of the Polytechnic”.
He revealed that the Polytechnic has been given the greenlight to commence distance learning programme to the applause of the audience in the inauguration hall.
“Just yesterday, the National board for Technical Education approved audit inspection of the commencement of Open Distance Flexible and e-learning (ODFEL).
“My Chairman and other distinguish personalities, I wish the Rector a successful tenure”, he said.
Other guests at the inauguration event were Chief Mrs Kemi Nelson, Women leader, APC Southwest, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, member, 12th Governing Council, LASPOTECH, Hon. Fathiou Salisu, Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Hon. Jelili Sulaimon, Chairman, Alimosho LG, Mr Ayodeji Iginla, former Rector, LASPOTECH, royal fathers, members of the 12th Governing of the Polytechnic, Prince Adetope Kosoko, former Registrar, LASPOTECH, as well as mother and wives of the new Rector among many others.
