The best-graduating student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Wasilatu Alimi, has attributed her achievement to her relentlessness for success.
Wasilatu received many prizes and awards at the institution’s combined graduation ceremony that was held in Ibadan on Friday.
In her valedictory speech, she said she supported herself through her polytechnic education.
She said she engaged in fashion design while burning the midnight candle to excel as the best student in the department of chemistry.
The best-graduating student charged her colleagues not to rest on their oars but to strive to achieve their dreams.
“See challenges not as a toad block but as an opportunity,” she said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has promised to address the staff shortage at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, towards a robust technological education in the state.
Makinde stated this in Ibadan on Friday at the 2023 combined graduation ceremony of the institution for the 35th to 38th sets of graduands.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, reiterated the commitment of the state to technological education and continuous support for The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
Makinde tasked the institution with doing more, especially in the areas of technological training, science, innovation, and creativity, which will make the products of the institution self-employed as well as employers of labour.
He stated that the institution should come up with solar solutions to its electricity challenge.
“Your work department, in conjunction with other relevant departments such as civil engineering, should be able to construct and maintain your road network.
“Required financial support will be given to you through special intervention in support of such initiatives if it is cost-saving coupled with assured durability,” Makinde said.
The governor charged the graduates with creativity and innovation to become self-employed and create opportunities that would contribute to the growth of the state and Nigeria as a whole.
