Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has doled out the sum of N6 million to the best graduating students of the Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH), Igbesa.
The monetary reward was in line with Abiodun’s commitment to enhancing and rewarding excellence in education for the 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions.
Similarly, the institution management, in addition to the governor’s largesse, also gave the three overall best students a sum of N200,000 each for their efforts.
Speaking at the combined convocation ceremony, Abiodun, who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said that his administration remains committed to delivering high-quality education that meets global standards, from the primary level to higher institutions in the State, saying that the government recognizes the fact that quality education and innovation are critical to sustainable development in today’s rapidly evolving world.
He said institutions such as OGITECH play a crucial role in producing skilled workforce that helps drive industrial growth, economic development and national progress, opining that it is commendable that the institution continues to distinguish itself as a Center of Academic Excellence and technological advancement.
According to him, “The quality of education that OGITECH provides reinforces our administration’s commitment to supporting technical and vocational education as a catalyst for national development, our building our future together agenda is driven by the belief that education is a foundation for holistic development.”
Abiodun urged the graduands that to succeed, they must embrace adaptability, creativity and continuous learning, emphasising that the knowledge and skills gained in the cause of their studies will serve as the foundation for their careers and personal aspirations as they step into a world of rapidly evolving with technological advancements and emerging challenges.
In his convocation lecture themed “Technological Education and the Realities of the Nigerian Industrial Advancement,” the Guest lecturer, Prof. Ramon Bello, examined the nature and characteristics of the ongoing Industrial Revolution world over, noting that it was global making working remotely the order of the day.
Prof. Bello informed that the ongoing industrial revolution would bring with it a lot of changes to how things are done and how we live, stressing that in Nigeria, Industrial development will have to advance with the nature of Industry 5.0 template for it to catch up and play a rewarding game in the competition ahead, saying there was therefore the need for adequate basics to be entrenched particularly in human resource development, especially the skilling of Nigerian Students.
While emphasising that OGITECH was well placed to play key roles in the upcoming technical advancement in Nigeria and globally, he charged the graduands to stay true to themselves, embrace change with an open mind, saying they should carry with them lessons learnt in the institution, while going confidently in the direction of their dreams.
In his remarks, the Rector of the institution, Dr Abiodun Oluseye noted that OGITECH, a technical hub, was one of the fastest growing citadels of technology in Nigeria, revealing that all the courses currently running in the institution have been adequately accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
The rector explained that the institution is geared towards imbuing in its students not only with sound educational knowledge but also with contemporaneous hands-on skills and values capable of placing them on exalted pedestals anywhere in the world.
On his part, the Acting Chairman, Governing Council of the Institution, Kola Sorinola, charged the graduands not to forget the values that guarded them through the course of their studies, but rather ride on it, as they steer the ship of future endeavours.
In his valedictory speech, the overall best-graduating student for the 2023/2024 academic session, Ismail Olamilekan, enjoined his colleagues to remain optimistic, determined and focused as they continue in the journey of life, saying that though the day marks the end of a phase, it also marks the beginning of another journey in their lives, hence the need for them to be resolute in making something out of themselves.
Wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, was among the notable personalities conferred with Honourary Fellowship award.
