Youths cry out as poly created by Amosun turns farmland 

Youths of Ipokia community in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State on Thursday cried out over an abandoned state-owned Polytechnic in the community, which has now turned a farmland where residents plant cassava, maize, groundnut among others. Daily Trust reports former Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the twilight of his administration had upgraded the Moshood […]

Youths of Ipokia community in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State on Thursday cried out over an abandoned state-owned Polytechnic in the community, which has now turned a farmland where residents plant cassava, maize, groundnut among others.

Daily Trust reports former Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the twilight of his administration had upgraded the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (MAUSTECH), and established a polytechnic in Ipokia, Ogun West Senatorial district.

Some structures including lecture halls, administrative blocks and hotels were constructed at the polytechnic site in Ipokia, before the expiration of Amosun’s tenure in May, 2019.

When Governor Dapo Abiodun assumed office, he reversed MAPOLY’s upgrade to a university and left the Ogun State Polytechnic in Ipokia, abandoned.

Twice during electoral campaigns in Ipokia, Abiodun had visited the site with a promise not to scrap the polytechnic, but make sure it takes off for the benefit of the community and Ogun West.

Miffed by the abandonment spanning six years under Abiodun’s watch, the youths in Ipokia on Thursday, protested at the gate of the polytechnic, lamenting the continued delay in the take off of the institution.

They particularly expressed worry that Abiodun had visited the polytechnic twice with a promise to ensure the institution begins operation, but he has not fulfilled his promise.

The youths under the aegis of Ipokia Youth Development Council (IPYDC) carried placards with various inscriptions, some of which read “Long Expectation Wearies The Heart”; “Don’t Abandon Polytechnic in Ipokia”; “Governor Abiodun, fulfill your promise on Ogun Polytechnic, Ipokia”; “Ipokia local government deserves a higher institution”, among others.

Addressing newsmen, the Chairman of IPYDC, Ajibade Tunji, called on the governor to fulfill his promises on the take – off of the polytechnic.

According to him, the institution is primely located and it has immense socioeconomic benefits for the host and neighbouring communities as well as the international students.

Tunji said: “Our Communities are peaceful, and are ready to partner with the government to ensure a smooth take-off and running of the institution.

“In view of the above, we kindly appeal to Your Excellency to consider prioritizing and expediting the processes necessary for the commencement of the Polytechnic’s operations. Your support and decisive action in this regard would not only fulfill a long-standing promise but also transform the lives of countless individuals in Ipokia and surrounding areas.

“We believe that with your leadership and commitment to the advancement of our State, the successful take-off of the Polytechnic is within reach. Your intervention would indeed be a monumental step towards realizing the educational and developmental aspirations of our community.”

Also speaking, a lecturer at the Lagos State University, Dr Yakub Tunde Oyebo, said Ipokia community is long overdue for a higher institution of learning going by its years of existence.

“This Polytechnic is going to attract international students if it becomes operational.

“Other communities like Agosasa, Ihunbo, even Badagry is a stone’s throw from here. People can move in from Badagry, Cotonou and Ado-Odo/Ota LG. This place is central to the international community and the immediate communities in Ogun State,” he said.

When contacted, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the governor, Kayode Akinmade, declined comments.

He said the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, is in the best position to address the matter.

However, Arigbabu has not responded to calls and messages sent to his phone as of the time of this report.