By: Emiola Shukroh and Akinwunmi Adijat
The Polytechnic, Ibadan, on Friday November 10, 2023 received the presence of the Minister of Power, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, on the event of commissioning the newly built Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND)-sponsored faculty buildings for; Faculty of Science (FSC), Faculty of Financial Management Studies (FFMS), and Faculty of Business and Communication Studies (FBCS) respectively.
The ceremony, which was staged at the new Faculty of Science building, kicked off with the school’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Adewole Soladoye formally receiving the Honorable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu and his entourage, the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Architect Babatunde Olajide and other dignitaries into the arena.
Prof. Kazeem Adekunle Adebiyi, the Rector, The Polytechnic Ibadan, also the Chief Host of the day, delivered a hearty welcome speech. He expressed his profound gratitude to God for making the day a reality. He extends his gratitude to TETFUND for their consistent intervention and unwavering support towards The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
The Rector, in his speech, highlighted that it’s a big honour to have Hon. Minister, a son of the soil, to be commissioning the multi-million naira projects. He emphasized that it gives the management of the school reassurance of a cordial relationship with the Hon. Minister.
In his speech, Arch. Babatunde Olajide, the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, showed gratitude to the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the huge contribution in commissioning sixty-six (66) projects across the nation, of which The Polytechnic Ibadan is a beneficiary. He congratulated Prof. Kazeem Adebiyi, the entire staff and students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan for such great achievement and urged that the maintenance of the new buildings be highly prioritized.
Following the beautiful cultural display, the Minister of Power, Hon. Minister Adebayo Adelabu stepped up to deliver his speech. He acknowledged his utmost joy with the warm reception by the host school, and further commended the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is an enabling factor for the provision of Research facilities, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres, classrooms and other academic buildings in tertiary institutions across the nation.
In admonition, Hon. Minister Adebayo Adelabu enjoined that the multi-million naira edifices be protected jealously, stating that the total cost of the project being ₦890,302,775.26k, was money well spent.
Hon. Minister Adebayo Adelabu, popularly and politically known as Penkelemesi, also affirmed his promise to always support The Polytechnic, Ibadan in his capacity, and also mentioned that an initiative, Energizing Education, that would see The Polytechnic, Ibadan as a beneficiary, is in the works.
The event ended with a vote of thanks by the Registrar, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Mrs. Modupe Fawale, and the Hon. Minister proceeded to officially declare the three buildings open for use.
The cultural group, in conjunction with the Music department of the host institution gave a wonderful performance, paying homage to the special guest, Hon. Minister Adebayo Adelabu, and also entertaining all that was present, in the process.
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