From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Engr Temitope Alake,
has urged the students of the campus to steer clear of any act that can destroy their lives or make them lose their studentship in the institution
The Rector who said there is no room for night parties, cultism, prostitution, cybercrime, examination malpractices and other social vices on the campus,
warned the students against night outings to avoid being victims of evil doers
Alake made these known while delivering the keynote address at the matriculation ceremony of National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) students for 2023/2024 Academic Session, where a total of 3,900 new intakes, comprising
2,000 ND students and 1,900 HND students were matriculated.
He said, ” Your primary assignment here is to acquire skills and morals. Any form of unethical behaviour and indecent dressing is not allowed, such as tatarred jeans, micro mini skirts, bum shorts, etc. If you want to run a commercial prostitute centre, it is not allowed here and the management has banned any form of night party
” Here, we are for morals, we are for academics and it is our focus that you must be able to stand tall among your peers.
“I understand quite well that many “teens” believe.that higher institution is a place where you enjoy a lot of freedom and make friends, but sometimes that freedom often comes with consequences.
“The Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, has zero-tolerance for all anti-social and unethical behaviours such as examination misconduct, prostitution, cultism, sexual harassment, hooliganism, gangsterism, corruption, yahoo or whatever it is being called and any form of social vices.
“In the same vein, the institution lays emphasis on modest and decent dressing. Also, note that it is pertinent for you to show respect to your colleagues, staff of the Polytechnic and all dwellers for a fruitful and productive stay on this campus.”
He urged the fresh students to utilise the various vocational skills acquisition programmes provided by the institution to be able to earn a living after graduation as white-collar jobs are very scarce to get in the country.
“Entrepreneurship is evolving in the world and as a result, the federal government of Nigeria mandated all tertiary institutions to establish skill acquisition center for the training and certification of their students.
“Pursuant to this laudable initiative, the management of this Institution established a center called “The Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Vocational Studies (CEDVS)” which is poised to execute the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).
“Acquisition of additional skills through entrepreneurship development and vocational studies is very important, take it very serious. If you graduate without a skill nothing has really passed through you
“You must ensure that you acquire skills, here.you have the opportunity. We have equipment, we have all.the laboratories, we have seasoned instructors that will guide you in the utilisation of some of these equipment.
“When you graduate, I am telling you, you may find it very difficult to access some of the equipment again, hence make sure apart from your course of study, you have additional skills. These skills are the ones that will put food on your table.
“If you graduate and you end up becoming a single income earner, you can be sure it may not be rosy, you must have manipulative skills and take note that even the white- collar job is no where to be found, digital/ artificial intelligence is already creating unemployment and in this digital age you must be able to fit in. Your generation is faced with a lot of challenges, if you visit the silicon valley, you will find out that the technology of last year may no more be relevant.
” Also, time management is very important, prioritise your things. Know the things that are critical in your daily runs, do the right thing at the right time, stay in the right place at the right time. When you are to submit your assignment make sure you meet up with the time, when you are to be in the laboratory, make sure you are there, there won’t be need for you to start begging your course instructors if you do the right thing.”
Alake while restating the institution’s commitment towards ensuring that students are certified with vocational skills to make them exceptional after their programmes, hinted that the centre has over 26 skills acquisition programmes that cut across agriculture, construction, events management and fashion designing.
At the ceremony, awards were presented to 60 deserving best ND 1 and HND 1 students across all departments in 2023/2024 Academic Session.