Outgoing Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Dr John Taiwo Adekolawole has described his tenure in the helms of affairs of the institution as fulfilling.
Adekolawole, whose tenure ends on Wednesday, November 2, said this while speaking with newsmen at his office on Monday. He said he was able to achieve 90% of his set goals.
Adekolawole, who has been in service of the Poly since its inception, said apart from unprecedented welfare package for staff, his tenure oversaw multiplication of the faculties (schools) from four faculties to eight. He added that no fewer than 15 new departments were added to the existing 24.
“I thank God for the successes I’m able to achieve. When I came in November 2017, the immediate past administration owe staff some allowances and part of salaries. It had an understanding with the unions that it will start paying by March 2018 but I can say that I started immediately in November and by February, we have cleared all the outstanding.
“More so, when I came on board, we had just about 20 PhD holders among the staff. As at today, we have over 70. This is as a result of our commitment to the advancement of Staff. We gave them scholarships to pursue their Doctorate Degrees in many completed and are now enjoying the benefits that comes with it.” Adekolawole said.
“Let’s also out it on record that I met four schools and I have added another four with 15 departments added to the existing 24 programmes. This will surely boost the institutions and make it better.
The schools are: School of Science and Technology, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, School of General and Administrative Studies and School of Communication and Information Technology.
“In the area of infrastructural, my tenure added 29 new state-of-the-art facilities to the existing ones. Bulk of the buildings on our south campus were constructed by me and I thank God for that. Very soon, our students will move to the South campus.”
To generate more revenues for the Polytechnic, Adekolawole’s era oversaw establishment of a printing press, agricultural venture and vocational center where furniture and other equipment are being made.
Speaking turbulent period he had, Adekolawole described all the crisis that rocked the institution during his period as “intentionally orchestrated distractions”, adding that he has forgiven everyone that contributed to it one way or the other.
“They saw my performance in first year in office, how I was given award from all over the country, they want to use that to distract me. Everything you saw during those periods are intentionally orchestrated distractions aimed at driven me off the tracks but I thank God I was able to navigate. I want to say that I have forgiven everyone that participated in it. Even some have been dealt with by the Council. He said.
Adekolawole appreciates all the council for the cooperation he enjoyed, calling on the incoming Rector to preserve and build on his legacies.
