The management of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta has called on the alumni to move closer to the school and avail it the needed support on critical structural and infrastructural development in the institution.
MAPOLY Rector, Dr Adekoyejo Jolaoso made the call, in his office, on Tuesday.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Chairman, Muslim Alumni Association (MAPAMA) Media and Publicity Committee, Tajudeen Balogun, on Wednesday.
Dr Jolaoso made the appeal, while speaking during the familiarisation visit of the National Executive Council of MAPAMA, led by its President, Prince Taofeek Oyeniyi.
While responding to MAPAMA’s National leader, Dr Jolaoso who was recently appointed as the Rector, stated that the school’s management runs an open-door policy and was receptive to “sustainable and productive ideas”.
The Rector, the first school’s alumnus to occupy the topmost position in the citadel, disclosed that the management was adopting “investment-driven” development, with variants such as construction of hostels, tech-hub and vast lands – for farming and agriculture, which he noted would make the institution to tap into its territorial profession, making foods to be in abundance and aiding academic research.
Dr Jolaoso disclosed that the Association could also tap into furniture making, by bringing investors. He affirmed that given the long list of the mass media professionals, which the institution prides over, MAPAMA could demonstrate “ability and capability” through its media resources in rebranding and creating much visibility for the school, by investors in a “win-win” arrangement.
The Rector hailed MAPAMA’s Education endowment fund for indigent students, calling on it to join in the campaign to encourage students and their parents to take advantage of the Federal Government National Education Loan Fund NELFUND, adding that while some are still ignorant of the scheme, many lacks trust in it.
While appealing to MAPAMA members who operate in power sector to help in resolving power challenges in the school, Dr Jolaoso also urged the Association to formalise its request – in desire to have its Academic Excellence Award incorporated into the institution’s list of Awards.
However, he tasked MAPAMA’s leadership to state in its request the criteria upon which the choice for the Award is made.
Earlier, MAPAMA’s National President, Prince Oyeniyi disclosed that the visit was to demonstrate the group’s commitment, show appreciation and make statement that the Alumni body was always ready to partner with the management to ensure that members contribute to the development of their alma-mater, having being blessed with individuals with diverse expertise and disciplines.
Oyeniyi stated: “MAPAMA is ready any day, any time you call on us to be instrumental and be part of the development drive”.
Prince Oyeniyi commended the successive managements of the institution for their resilience, noting that it was obvious that more efforts were still required to fix the prevalent structural and infrastructural deficiency in the campus.
To this end, he called for public-private partnership initiatives, to mobilise adequate funds to facilitate critical capital projects in the school, for the benefits of the students and the institution at large.
“The more management progresses, the more happy we are; MAPAMA stands for everything that will increase, energise and lead to progress of the institution” Prince Oyeniyi restated .
While relating that MAPAMA also operates in diaspora, Oyeniyi clarified that the organisation’s goal was not to “segregate” from the larger Alumni body, rather, to galvanised efforts to better the lot of the institution.
He prayed for a successful tenure of the new Rector, who is also a MAPAMA member.
Present during the visit were: the Deputy Rector, Dr Yetunde Lanre-Iyanda; the Registrar, Olubunmi Elewodalu and Bursar, Folashade Madariola.
On the MAPAMA’s train were: the current National Vice President, Tpl. Abdul Rauf Adebanjo; former National Presidents – Tpl. Abdul Rahman Ajala; Arch. Abdul Fattai Ayoola; MAPAMA Lagos and Ogun States’ Coordinators Tpl. Abdul Wasii Oyeniyi and Abdul Wakeel Solabi respectively; MAPAMA Media and Publicity Committee Chairman, Tajudeen Balogun, his Economic Empowerment counterpart, Abdul Razak Misbaudeen.
Others were: foremost female member, Hajia Taibat Alimi; the National Welfare Officer II, Tpl. Sekinah Dada, National Financial Secretary, Abdul Kabir Buhari, Ex-Vice National President, Ismael Ayinla, former Ogun State Coordinator, Abdul Rahman Qamardeen and MPC member, Abdul Fatai Ilyas.
Recall that Dr Jolaoso was appointed the 10th Rector of the institution by its Governing Council on December 4, 2024.
