On Monday, 28th March 2024, Dr. Taiwo Lasisi resumed as the Acting Rector of The Polytechnic Ibadan, succeeding Professor Kazeem Adebiyi. While addressing staff and students upon resumption, he expressed his commitment to elevate the institution during his tenure and pledged to align with the state government’s development agenda by enhancing academic and infrastructure programmes at the institution.
The state in which he met the institution was far from ideal. A lot of academic facilities were broken down and the institution had been disconnected from the National grid, Security was at a low ebb and the environment was overgrown by weeds and there were recurrent reports of snake bites in the hostels.
To make matters worse, he inherited lots of outstanding payments owed to members of staff, especially on affiliates programme and the 2023 promotion exercise was inconclusive.
Realising that security is the primary duty of any management and governance structure, the Lasisi-led Acting Management team have worked with stakeholders to keep the institution secured. As a result of this engagements and proactive measures, the reign of terror synonymous with the second semester (especially in July) have been curtailed and security skirmishes have become a thing of the past.
To resolve the recurring power problem, prepaid meters have been installed in staff quarters and the institution recently inaugurated a multi-disciplinary Energy Management Committee consisting of young, dynamic professional to provide a sustainable framework for energy generation and efficient utilisation. The committee has been working round the clock to provide a permanent solution to the problem of electricity within the institution.
As a former Dean of Students, the Acting Rector understands that learning can only take place under conducive environments. He immediately declared a state of emergency on environmental management, sanctioning the immediate purchase of lawn mowers. Bushy surroundings have become a thing of the past and general environment are well tended. While awaiting the reconnection to the national grid, he directed that the institution’s generators supply power to the hostels and staff quarters. The institution has begun immediate repair of lecture rooms and is set to provide ergonomic benches and tables so students can learn in a conducive and comfortable setting.
As a home-grown Rector, Dr. Lasisi knew where the shoe pinched and promised to prioritize welfare of staff and students. He followed through his promise to resolve the delay in promotion exercise and all the affected staff have received their promotion letters.He directed immediate payments of outstanding claims and allowances of affiliate programmes and outstanding examination logistics have been approved for payment.
Within the first 100 days of Dr Lasisi as Acting Rector, the institution, through the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies, have opened a partnership with Florida International University, leading to the hosting of a documentary on Fuji History, focusing on the life and times of Barry Wonder. The partnership is very promising, offering members of staff opportunities for grants, sponsored conferences and exchange programmes.
Without question, Dr Lasisi has lived true to his promise to elevate the institution. As a home-grown Rector, He is well-positioned to lead the institution to greater heights. Hopes are high that his leadership would solve the perennial problems which have bedeviled the institution in the past few years.
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