The Presidential Visitation Panel inaugurated by the Federal Government to look into the operations of technical higher education in Nigeria was in Afe Babalola University on a courtesy visit.
The visit to ABUAD was led by the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Mrs. T. T. Akande and the Chairman, Visitation Panel, Prof. Richard Anao from Benson Idahosa University, Benin City.
In her remarks, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Mrs. T. T. Akande, said, the mission of the Presidential Visitation Panel set up by the Federal Government was to assess and evaluate the state of affairs of the Institution. She stated that the visit by the Panel would last for thirty days; that it would look into the challenges and successes so far achieved by Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti. The Rector also said part of the activities of the Panel was to meet with and have close interactions with the Institution’s stakeholders. She said: the Panel has visited the State Government and media houses. She further said, “We are in ABUAD; not only because ABUAD is a stakeholder and a close neighbour, but also to solicit the University’s cooperation.”
While giving his remarks, the Chairman, Presidential Visitation Panel, Prof. Richard Anao, thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sidi Osho, for granting the Panel audience and the opportunity to tour the University. Prof Anao said “What we see in this University is of another level. It is beyond the University in terms of age. We are surprised to see these structures within the level of existence.” He said, the Team was in ABUAD because the Founder, Aare Afe Babalola played a prominent role in the establishment of Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti and as Chairman of Governing Council. According to him, the Federal Government set up this Panel- made up of different academic professionals and sent us here to assess the operations of the Federal Polytechnic in terms of leadership, finance and infrastructural management. He stated that, the Panel would also examine the conformity of the Institution with the law establishing it and the relationship of the Institution with stakeholders and the immediate environment. The Chairman said the aim of the Federal Government as regards this visit was geared towards making Nigeria one of the largest economies in 2020.
Giving her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sidi Osho, welcomed the Team on behalf of the Founder, Council and Senate to Afe Babalola University. She lauded the efforts of the Honourable Minister of Education, Prof. Rukayatu Rufai, for instituting a panel such as this to look into the affairs of technical institutions in Nigeria. Prof. Osho extolled the virtues of the Founder, Aare Afe Babalola for being a vanguard of qualitative and standard education in Nigeria. As she stated, Aare Afe Babalola was instrumental to the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti and that Afe Babalola University was established to reform education in Nigeria and lead by example. She said ABUAD is raising human resources for the global markets. Prof. Osho said, there is a collaboration and partnership between the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti and Afe Babalola University. She said the two Institutions share strategies in the areas of human resources and community development. She congratulated the Honourable Minister of Education and described her as a result oriented person. She however, requested the Minister to use her office to improve the allocation to the educational sector.