John Ayeni
Students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic are presently thrown into panic and fear over a rumoured strike that is threatening academic activities in the institution.
This development is coming after the State governor, Senator Ibikunke Amosun made a pronouncement that the Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia would be inaugurated for operations before he leaves office on May 29, 2019.
Since the pronouncement, PCM observed that, students of the Polytechnic and the newly admitted students of OgunPoly are uncertain of their institution of admission as well as resumption of academic activities.
Also, there has been speculations in some quarters that the new ND 1intakes may not resume at the Mapoly campus but will be transferred to Ipokia for their study.
Visiting the institution site in Ipokia, the Governor Amosun in company accompanied his cabinet members and Permanent Secretaries gave the assurance after inspecting construction work in the campus, said about 3000 students, who have completed all admission procedure, will be admitted as pioneer students of the school.
He noted that the Polytechnic was one of the 20 legacy projects to be commissioned by President Buhari during his visit to the State next month.
“As soon as Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia commences operation, Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (MAUSTECH), will also come on stream. The master plan for the take off of the university is already in place’’, he said.
He noted that the take off of the institution would bring development to the area, calling on the people of the community to cooperate and accommodate students that would be admitted into the Polytechnic.
Highlighting some of the facilities on ground, Amosun said, “we already have lecture theatres that can take 2500 students at a go, hostel facility, staff quarters, rectors residence among others, hence the polytechnic is more than ready for the take off."
The Rector of the of MAPOLY and OgunPoly combined, Dr. Adeola Odedina, expressed delight that the people of the community were ready to receive them, affirming that the institution would take off fully, as the management was ready to commence operation.
Recall that the school recently called off its three month strike and it has conducted exams for completion of 2017/2018 academic session.
PCM gathered that some lecturers in the school have kicked against this development by threatening to go on strike if the governor proceeds on his plans to transfer some of them to Ipokia.
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, MAPOLY chapter has since issued a ‘Save our Soul’ release in same regard through its chairman, Babatunde Osifalujo calling on well meaning publics to intervene in the governor’s actions.