LASPOTECH rector restates commitment to excellence

The new Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu, Mr. Samuel Olayinka Sogunro, has said that efforts of his five-year administration would be geared towards the sustenance of culture of excellence enthroned in the institution by successive administrations. Specifically, he pledged that his utmost plan is to ensure that LASPOTECH improves on its current rating, from being one of the foremost polytechnics in the country, to become the best tertiary institution in Africa. He said: “I pledge to do all in my power to continue to spearhead developmental efforts in the polytechnic.

The focus of my work in the immediate future will be the maintenance of the high quality of the institution’s academic programmes, intensifying research activities, improvement of facilities, accelerate infrastructural development, improvement of capacity of members of staff, provision of fast broadband internet connectivity on the three campuses of the polytechnic, as well as ensuring that all academic certificates and students’ transcripts are promptly processed and released.”

Sogunro, who spoke during his inauguration as the 10th Rector of the 38-year-old polytechnic, said he accepted his appointment having been aware of the multi-faceted challenges currently facing the institution. Sogunro, whose appointment took effect since June 1, succeeded Dr. Abdulazeez Abioye Lawal. He listed some of the challenges to include inadequate funding, dwindling internal revenue generation (IGR) base, indiscipline among staff and students, ill-equipped laboratories, lack of administrative complex, poor staffing, shortage of facilities, construction of students’ hostels and the activities of land speculators or grabbers on Ikorodu main campus. But as daunting as the challenges were, Sogunro pledged the readiness of his administration to critically look into them with a view to addressing them.

To achieve this, the rector who solicited the support of members of the polytechnic community said: “My distinguished colleagues, whether I earned your support or not in the process of getting this appointment is immaterial to me, what I have learnt in the entire process is the fact that we all share a common passion to see LASPOTECH progress, although we do subscribe to different points of views. “As rector, I pledge to work closely and in harmony with the workers’ unions, the students’ union body, members of staff and other stakeholders in the polytechnic project, to ensure that LASPOTECH assumes its rightful position as the foremost institution for academic excellence and innovation in the country. “Let me use this opportunity to once again re-assure you that I will remain committed to promoting the culture of excellence handed over by the past administrations of the polytechnic.”