Bianca Iboma
Twenty-six years into its existence, alumni of the prestigious Federal Polytechnic Ede, in Osun State, converged in Lagos for their maiden reunion on October 13, 2018.
The reunion was just for Lagos/Ogun state. The old students recounted the various changes the institutions had inspired in them that had helped them to achieved their feat after graduation.
President of the Alumni, Shittu Bashiru Olaleye, said the essence of the reunion was to rekindle the bond and values synonymous with the institution.
“The essence of the reunion is to bring together graduates from FEDPOLED over its 26 years of existence to rekindle the bond and values that we share based on the special education that we all had Ede which lay emphasis on excellence, integrity, accountability, team spirit, servant leadership, autonomy and cultural heritage.
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“The Alumni aim to build a networking opportunity for old and young graduate of the institution to raise the profile of the school and continue to build on the lasting legacy for the institution.”
He said the association is ready to have a parley between fresh and former students because they aimed at changing the orientation of the younger generation especially now that a lot of vices compete with the students’ academic performance.
Beaming with smiles, Olaleye said, “FEDPOLED is not just an educational learning hub but truthfully it is a transformational, leadership training ground for goal driven minds imbedded in the teachings of God.”
Olaleye said the old students also aimed at using post-graduation successes to promote the school’s reputation and encourage others to consider attending FEDPOLED.
“The alumni association would continue to offer all former students ways to keep their connection with the institution and also assist by giving back to our alma mater,” he said.
National Secretary of the Association, Dimeji Olagunju, said the FEDPOLED as a higher institution in Nigeria, has graduated over 30,000 students from various departments of the institution.
Olagunju said the quality of education in any country is one of the major keys to its national development.
He however, said that the decline in the quality and standard of education in the nation is alarming.
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According to Olagunju, “The plights of public education in Nigeria are so many. One of the things that has crippled the sector is poor governance and management.
“Basic education suffers most because education in our nation is poorly funded, poor infrastructures among others.”
Olagunju stated for making even the educational system lies in the hands of the government. He maintained that necessary steps needed to be taken in order to restructure and save the sector.
“The government at all levels needs to commit to the delivering of a competitive standard of education across the country and with other countries.”
He highlighted the importance of Alumni associations saying they can serve as entities in marketing educational institutions and promoting the best interests of their alma mater and the education sector at large.
He also engendered a spirit of belonging and unity which is a necessary element in surmounting the difficult challenges facing our education sector in the country.
Alumni of FEDPOLED are exemplary ambassadors, they just want to use this medium to give back to an institution that has contributed significantly to making them what they are today.
He added with such dedication there is no doubt that the FEDPOLED is destined to attain greater heights in academic excellence.
“However, the journey to excellence is paved with daunting challenges because Nigeria’s education sector is in very bad shape. Unfortunately, government, at all levels, has ignored this emergency.”
