Adebayo Adenrele
…as Institution matriculates 397 Students
The founder of Ajayi Polytechnic, Ikere-Ekiti, Dr. Busayo John Ajayi, has called on the federal government to invest in the private school sector by providing them with access to student loans, similar to what is granted to their government school counterparts.
Dr. Ajayi stated this during the 6th matriculation ceremony of the 2022/23 academic session at the institution, emphasizing that private individuals’ investment in education deserves recognition, thus necessitating the federal government’s support.
He believes that students at private schools should be given the opportunity to benefit from student loans.
According to him, “The best way the Federal Government can encourage those of us who have invested so much in education is to allow these students to also have access to student loans.
“Any eligible student at private universities should be able to have access to these loans.
“Public institutions do not have the capacity to accommodate all students, which is why private polytechnics and universities exist.”
While announcing that a total of 397 students were admitted to National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) levels for the 2022/2023 academic session, Dr Ajayi assured parents and guardians that the students would acquire skills that would enable them to become job creators and self-reliant individuals after graduation.
He therefore urged them to avoid distractions and vices, as the institution maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct such as cultism, theft, robbery, and others.
On his part, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Michael Folorunsho Alonge expressed concern about unemployment in the country.
He highlighted that over 25 million graduates have become liabilities to their parents due to the lack of job opportunities, hence the place of Ajayi Polytechnic to bridge the gap by ensuring their students are self-employed.
“In Nigeria, we find ourselves in a situation where graduates have become liabilities to their parents because there are no jobs available after graduation.
“Currently, approximately 25 million graduates are liabilities to their parents due to the absence of suitable employment opportunities.
“This is why Ajayi Poly is here to bridge the gap by ensuring our students become self-employed.”
Present at the occasion were the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu, represented by Chief Babatola Olufemi, the acting Rector of the Institution, Dr. Bolanle Ajayi, Deputy Rector Oluwemimo Ajayi, Registrar Ayodeji Ogunjobi, and others.
