The Ogun State Government has commissioned an N80M Information Communication Technology (ICT) Laboratory Project sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta .
The commissioning of the project situated at the Soniran Sowemimo hall was performed by the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu.
The 2019 zonal intervention project could boast of two hundred and eighty computers, thirty air-condition and 150kva power generating sets and among others.
Prof. Arigbabu, while commissioning the project commended the Management of the institution for its vision and sincerity in taken the advantage of the TETFund to have this project even at this period when the institution is gradually regaining its pride among the comity of polytechnics in Nigeria.
The commissioner remarked that the laboratory project would further boost technological education in the institution and state in general.
He reiterated government’s effort towards integrating technology into teaching and learning activities across the state.
He said: “The provision of the equipment is apt at the time when virtual learning is the order of the day across the world.
“The Governor Dapo Abiodun led administration is keen on development of education in all the local governments in the state. Ogun State government is thriving towards ensuring that education takes its priority and promise that the institution will continue to produce worthy ambassadors for the state.
“The government is also making sure that all the primary and secondary schools in the state be provided with adequate ICT equipment, as well as resource centre in each local government area, to enable learners prepare adequately for the future.”
The Acting Rector of MAPOLY, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji in his remark recalled how the fund was made available to the institution and the state government efforts in ensuring that the project came into reality.
“Because it was meant for procurement, the place to have the computer systems became our responsibility, so we presented a particular budget to governor Abiodun, which he graciously approved to use to renovate the building and the renovation was done.
“When the JAMB officials came here to access the place, and they said this is a remarkable edifice. From what they have been seen since they made it a centre, they were very happy, but only made a remark that we should make a cubicle for each seat and we are already working on that advice.”
Odedeji reaffirmed that the project would not only help the students of the institution, but would be an advantage to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) CBT Examinations and other academic purposes.
“We have 250 and have added 30 more computers in compliance with JAMB CBT that every centre must have that 250 and 30 extra in case of any breakdown. So what we have here is 280 computer system to accommodate 250 students at a time.
“We are in the era of internet of things and it is no more ICT, we have moved from ICT to internet of things that simply means internet is now being used for everything communication, agriculture, pharmacy and all sort of things. Then we have e-commerce, so learning and teaching is not excluded. That is what we are doing here.
“In fact our policy here is, we are deepening ICT involvement in our learning and teaching activities, to become deeper and deeper.’
In the same vein, Dr. Odedeji stressed: “Behind this building, there is another construction going on and is almost reach completion stage, it only remain procurement of equipment. That one is made available to us by National Communication Commission (NCC).
“That one will accommodate 500 computer seats. It is increasingly being attained, and we have to be patient not for this generation alone but for the generation yet to come. So this where we started forty years when MAPOLY was established.
“We are extending our appreciation to the state government led by Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun for providing enabling environment. The governor graciously approved that we should spent that money and this is the result today. All glory to God and thanks to His Excellency.”
