Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has on Tuesday officially inaugurated the Governing Council of Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan-Ekiti, Ekiti News reports.
The Governor emphasized the importance of fostering a robust culture and implementing practices that ensure self-sustainability, self-sufficiency, and effective personnel management in the operations of the institution.
Governor Oyebanji while inaugurating the 5-member Governing Council at the Exco Chamber of the Governor’s office, Ado-Ekiti noted that members of the council were constituted based on their competence, adding that such appointments are devoid of any political considerations.
The Governor expressed confidence that the institution and government would benefit from the wealth of experience of members based on their track records and pedigree in their various areas of endevours.
Governor Oyebanji underscored the pivotal role of education as the most potent tool against poverty and underdevelopment globally.
He urged the council members to avoid burdening the Polytechnic with excessive personnel costs, which could impede the institution’s developmental progress.
Emphasizing that recruitment criteria should prioritize necessity, capability, competitiveness, excellence, merit, and innovation, the Governor highlighted their potential to propel the institution’s advancement.
“I want to particularly express my profound appreciation to Professor Emmanuel Adebayo Fasakin and other members for accepting to serve in the Polytechnic Council, despite the inconveniences. I deeply appreciate your patriotic commitment to the overall development of our dear State at all times.
“I will like to make this clarification, there are some boards that you cannot politicize, it took a while to constitute the board of this polytechnic, because of the critical nature and vision of the founding fathers of this institution and I told myself I will not constitute the council until I get fit and proper persons. And I thank God we have gotten to that stage.
“This goes for the College of Health Sciences, Ijero Ekiti too. I will not succumb to unnecessary pressure to constitute its Governing Council until I get people that have the capacity and the ability to run efficiently the institution. Once I get the right people to agree to serve, we will constitute. These are not agencies that you just put politicians In charge, I don’t want us to make the mistake of the past.
“We must however accept the reality that the task of running a 21st century school cannot be solely rested on government’s subvention. The Council must therefore look at other sources through which the school can meet its basic needs. The Governor stated.”, the Governor added.
Prof. Adedayo Fashakin, Chairman of Council, while responding on behalf of other council members expressed appreciation to the Governor for giving them an opportunity to serve and use their wealth of experience to develop and reposition the institution.
Other members of the council include Mr John Kehinde Omodara, Mr Kayode Bamigboye, Dr Olushina Ajayi and Prof. Simisola Olayinka.
The brief ceremony was graced by notable dignitaries including the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Engr. Sunday Komolafe; members of the State Executive Council; Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Adejuwon; and the Rector of Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan Ekiti, Dr. Bayode Adesodun, among others.