Oyebola Moyinoluwa
The management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic has nullified the National Association of Nigerian Students’ allegations, stating that the examination continues on Wednesday, Oct 19, 2022.
The management said this in a statement that was released on Monday by the Public Relations Officer, Yemi Ajibola, stating that the institution charges the least tuition fees in West Africa.
This was after the protest that was initiated by student leaders to compel the management to withdraw all newly introduced and increased fees.
The statement reads, "Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, as a second generation Institution, has built indelible reputations in men and women of timbers and calibers, which should never be jeopardized.
"It is crystal undisputable that MAPOLY has been a supermodel to many other Institutions before the brouhaha of extinction notice served by the immediate past administration of Ogun State, upon the policy of conversion of MAPOLY to a University of Science and Technology since 2017, which fumes till today.
"Consequent upon this, in 2017, MAPOLY was delisted among the comity of Polytechnics in Nigeria with her over 45 accredited courses and programmes, which gave birth to Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia that was approved to run about 17 courses only.
"This was the situation until the magnanimous intervention of the present Ogun State Government led by Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR, who pronounced the immediate return to status quo of MAPOLY in 2019.
"It should be noted that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board had pegged the carrying capacity of the Institution from about 17,000 to 1,470 slots for all the available courses.’
It also states that "the Management, led by Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, inherited huge liabilities with over 6 months salary arrears. With the paucity of funds, Management made all efforts to clear the backlog within two months in a bid to stabilize the system.
"Recently, the Management introduced a registration fee of N20,000 only, payable to all newly admitted applicants, who are to enjoy the launching of the full digital registration process on the Institution’s upgraded portal, as against the usual manual routines.
"Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) requested for its removal, and subsequently, was reduced to 50 percent (ie N10,000) by the Governing Council after wild deliberations with stakeholders.
"Presently, it is on record that, MAPOLY still charges the least tuition fees in the South West
"Similarly, admission application forms range from N2,000 to N7,500 only, depending on the category of application, either for National Diploma or Higher National Diploma programme, while the acceptance fee remains N35,500 only.
"Medical screening exercise is compulsory to determine the health status of the newly admitted students. This exercise is being carried out at designated registered medical centers outside the campus at a uniform economic rate."
In the same vein, it debunked the claim that the institution collects money for tax clearance as it said "Students are only expected to present tax receipt/certificate of their Parents or Guardians as evidence for fulfillment of tax obligation."
It, therefore, States that "allegations levied against the Management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta by the NANS are baseless, sentimental and unsubstantiated."
However, the management urged students "to steer clear of the Institution’s vicinity in their own interest till Wednesday, October 19, 2022" as staffs are to resume their posts.
It states, "Authorities of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta hereby announce that the ongoing 2021/2022 2nd semester examination will continue on Wednesday, October 19, 2022
"The examination was disrupted on Monday, October 17, 2022, by the invasion of the Institution’s gate by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Ogun JCC.
the light of this, initial examination timetables remain intact, while students are urged to steer clear of the Institution’s vicinity in their own interest till Wednesday, October 19, 2022.
"Members of staff especially those involved in the examination are also informed to resume their duty posts on the above date promptly."
It, therefore, urged parents and guardians to visit the school website for more information.
