The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos State Polytechnic

  • Accident victim needs N3m for hip surgery

    AN accident victim, Michael Irabor, is seeking financial assistance from Nigerians to raise the sum of three million naira for a replacement surgery on his hip.

    Irabor, a Mass Communication graduate of  the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, was knocked down by a motorcyclist at Bwari area of Abuja in 2011.

    Although he was initially treated at a hospital in the FCT, he experienced excruciating pains upon his return to Lagos.

    He said: “My story began on April 14, 2011 in Abuja, shortly after I rounded off my Ordinary National Diploma in Mass Communication. I had a motorcycle accident at Bwari area of the capital territory.

    “After a casual treatment in Abuja, I proceeded to Lagos to begin my industrial training. It was while in Lagos that I started experiencing excruciating pains. The following year, I noticed that a bone was pulling out of my hips.

    Read Also: LASEMA rescues two accident victims

    “So I went to a doctor friend who first told me that I was suffering from acute rheumatism. Consequently, I was advised to exercise regularly, that with time, the pain  would disappear.

    “But by 2014, the pain had become severe and unbearable and the same doctor repeated what he had told me before.

    “However, it turned out to be a wrong diagnosis. I managed the condition until 2016.

    “But with the detachment of the  bone from the normal position to my buttocks, I returned to the hospital where it was revealed that I had  Vascular Disorder.”

    The condition makes walking difficult for him.

    A medical report from Cedacrest Hospital, Lagos, says he requires  N3million  for a total hip replacement surgery.

    Donations can be forwarded to a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Account Number 0176663635, with the name Micheal Irabor.

  • LASPOTECH showcases invented devices

    Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) has unveiled unique machines, technology devices courtesy of the School of Engineering.

    The innovations include motorised car jack, motorised melon seed shelling machine, manure drier, multi-purpose fruits extractor, and multi-purpose trashing. Others are: cleaning machine, pneumatic can crusher, microcontroller traffic light, turmeric slicing machine, break wear test rig and sensor for tricycles and de-feathering machine, as well as chicken slicer machine, among others.

    Taking reporters on a media tour of its workshops, the Dean of School of Engineering, Michael Ashaolu, said the innovations were borne out of necessity to right certain inadequacies in the available technologies in the society.

    He said the overall advantage of the designs, when subjected to mass production and industrial plants, would lead to massive reduction in importation of less effective devices from the West and China.

    ‘’We have different areas of engineering; but we are showcasing to you today equipment and devices designed and produced by agricultural and bio-environmental, mechanical and electrical/ electronics departments.

    He continued: “One of them is a de-feathering machine, which makes it easy for people to de-feather from chickens. Feather removing is one of the tasks involved in the process of producing ready-to-cook poultry meat in large quantity. Operation of the machine involves dropping of a fowl previously soaked in hot water in the basin and operating the machine at designed operating speed to remove the feather. The machine is capable of de-feathering 5 Kg of fowls within a period of 15 minutes.

    Some of the devices and equipment built by the mechatronics engineering and electrical/electronic  department include motorised car jack and traffic light with sensor for efficient traffic control in the metropolis.

    Ashaolu equally spoke on the essence of the pneumatic can crusher.

    ‘’The pneumatic can crusher was developed and fabricated to crush aluminum waste cans by 80  per cent size reduction. Can Crushers are primarily used to reduce the size of cans for easy transportation for recycling purposes Can constitutes environmental pollution in the society and crushing technique employed in  the machine fabricated will convert the waste material to raw materials for industrial uses. The purpose of this device is to smash an empty can of diameter 65mm and height 120mm to height 25 to 30 mm.’’

  • LASPOTECH alumni celebrate alma mater at 40

    Members of the Alumni Association of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) and other personnel were excited as they celebrated the institution at 40.

    The event which was graced by the Rector, Mr Yinka Sogunro, national President of the Alumni Association and other distinguished guests also featured a display by LASPOTECH cultural dance group  and citation and decoration of Dr. Bisi Onasanya as fellow of the polytechnic.

    The Rector congratulated everyone for the 40th anniversary and  also explained that the school which was established in 1977, commenced operation in 1978 is 40 this year.

    He also said the polytechnic has achieved a lot and that during the 26th convocation ceremony in 2017, the governor of the state, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode who was present, promised to build the administrative building and also a befitting high capacity auditorium for the school.

    “In the history of tertiary in Nigeria, we were the first to put a drone together and flew it during the convocation ceremony” he said.

    He also used the forum to appeal to the association to tell members to come for their certificates.

    “Now the major thing that we are focusing on is upgrading the institution. We want to have Lagos State Polytechnic University.

    “We are not going to do away with what we are running, the ND, the HND,will also run then if you want  to move freely to degree level, you can do that.” He said.

    The Chairman Governing Council Laspotech, Prof. Tajudeen G.O. Gbadamosi said in his key address that he was delighted to be with the Alumni of the polytechnic.

    “Over the last forty years, Laspotech has distinguished itself among its peers in the country. From inception to 2010, the polytechnic had turned out 52,000 graduates. As at 2010, the polytechnic had a staff strength of 1,014, a student population of 6,630 full time and more than 10,000 part-time students spread across six schools, 28 departments and 49 accredited programmes. As at 2012, it had turned out 63,800 graduates and had 52 accredited programmes in 31 departments. In 2018, student enrolment was 30,790 in 36 departments and seven schools, including the School of Part-Time Studies, “ he said.

    He also acknowledged the support of all the alumni and the state government.

    The former GMD First Bank PLC and an Alumnus of the polytechnic, Mr Bisi Onasanya, who received a fellowship award, expressed his gratitude to be associated with Laspotech.

    He also said he was proud alumnus of the school and that the school has made him who he is  and what he is today.

    He said he was only in the school for the first time about two weeks ago after 35 years of leaving and also prayed that Laspotech would continue to produce qualified chartered accountants for Nigeria and also be the top most institution in Nigeria for the production of professionals across the business world.

  • Ambode re-election: LASPOSUG Launches ‘DiCE’ Initiative

    The Lagos State Polytechnic Students’ Union Government [LASPOSUG] has officially launched an initiative tagged ‘Direct Campaign & Enlightenment [DiCE]’ in favour of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for another term in office which also doubles as a nod to the present administration’s good works permeating the length and breathe of the State.

    This was as disclosed by the SUG President, Adewale Jubril, while addressing press on Tuesday 3rd April, 2018.

    According to Jubril, DICE is an initiative aimed at persuading students one on one, after which they are charged to also persuade their parents and other influencers.

    While addressing the press, Jubril said, “We want to state categorically that, the students’ union is apolitical and would not give credence to mediocrity or hypocricy. Therefore, what we are doing today is not out of bandwagon effects or hired idea. We are here today representing the 25,000 plus students of this great citadel of learning and excellence to say that- Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State should continue with his good works, consolidate in another four years and make education in Lagos State the hallmark of excellence in Nigeria.

    “We are not reaching these conclusions without proofs of what the amiable Governor has done in education sector, especially at the Lagos Sate Polytechnic. The Governor has proved beyond reasonable doubts, its concern for the sustenance of qualitative educational system in Lagos State.”

    Jubril went further to add that, the citadel of knowledge has benefited immensely from Ambode’s administration; part of which according to him include: “initiation of the first ever academic and value added practical training programme “Ready-Set-Work” (RSW) for Tertiary Institutions in Lagos, preparing students for the work life, placing successful participants on Industrial Training with reputable organizations and also funding viable business ideas/innovations of the students.

    “Consideration of the plea by the Polytechnic Management on financial constraint of the Polytechnic, His Excellency approved the increment of the Polytechnic’s monthly subvention and also approved the release of funds for the accreditation of 66 programmes in the Polytechnic.

    “Furthermore, the Governor completed the construction of Block A of the School of Technology Complex and also approved the construction of drainages as well as car parks for the Complex all of which are on-going.

    “The Governor in his magnanimity extended the “Operation Light-Up Lagos” project to the Lagos State Polytechnic. Street lights were installed all over the Ikorodu Campus of the Polytechnic.

    “Ambode has also initiated the commencement of the following projects in the Polytechnic: Completion of the abandoned Sports Complex on the Ikorodu Campus of the Polytechnic to serve the whole of Ikorodu community, Construction of a befitting High Capacity Auditorium for the Institution, Construction of a befitting Administrative Block for the Polytechnic

    “The visionary Governor Ambode gave a nod and support to the Polytechnic for the Drone Project initiated by the Polytechnic with a view to deploying surveillance drones for security all around the State and many more”

    In the same vein, the Lady Vice-President of the Union, Comrade Oladipupo Zainab solicit for the support of the entire residents in Lagos State so as to encourage the continuous accelerated progress experienced in the educational system and other sectors in Lagos State, through voting massively for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode come 2019.

    Most importantly, residents, especially the youths and students were implored to register and pick up their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) as this remains the only way all can ensure support for education and youth development.

    “For us, DiCE as an initiative would not only canvass for votes, but monitor and sensitise the student populace on the need to register and collect their PVCs. A vote canvasses without a PVC is a sheer wasting of time and resources. Therefore, we shall sensitise for registration and collection of PVC and consolidate with canvass for votes through DiCE initiative. What LASPOTECH SUG is doing to support the reelection of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode goes beyond rhetoric and showmanship. It is a complete practical approach to winning election,” Zainab noted.

    DiCE means Direct Campaign & Enlightenment, it is an initiative aimed at engaging every student one on one, convince and persuade them with facts from the good works of the Governor, and school each student, to engage their parents directly with facts and figures of the governors good deeds.

  • How to handle herders/farmers problem — Oshiomhole

    How to handle herders/farmers problem — Oshiomhole

    Former Edo Governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, has urged Nigerians not to politicise the herders/farmers problem affecting some parts of the country.

    Oshiomhole spoke with our reporter on the sideline of the 26th Convocation Lecture of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH).

    He said a crime committed should be treated as a crime.

    The ex-governor said if a crime is committed by anyone, it should be dealt with as such.

    According to him, there is no need to mix crime with politics.

    Oshiomhole said that such problems become more difficult to resolve once they begin to assume political context, whipping up sentiments.

    The former governor said that once people mix criminality with politics, then it becomes complex.

    He said that anyone who commits a crime, regardless of his or her trade, should be dealt with according to law.

    According to him, the business of the government is to find long term sustainable solutions.

    Oshiomhole said that the herdsmen were as old as the Nigerian nation and had been living in peace with other members of the community.

    He said what was needed to resolve the herders/farmers problem was long term sustainable policies.

    “In every part of Nigeria and most communities, you will always have an area domiciled by the herdsmen and they move about their lawful business, here and there.

    ” In my house, I have a herdsman who is managing my cattle and I’m sure there are a lot of other people too who have them.

    ” But like every other aspect of Nigeria, a couple of things might have deteriorated, including environmental and security issues among others, ” he said.

    The former governor, however, said that the government has a duty to protect life and properties as provided by the constitution, and that is not negotiable.

    NAN

     

  • LASPOTECH to get 5000-seater auditorium

    • School holds matriculation

    The Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Samuel Sogunro, has disclosed the state government’s plan to commence the building of a 5000-capacity auditorium, the administrative building and the completion of the abandoned ultra modern sports complex for the school.

    He said Lagos State Governor Akinwummi Ambode had issued directives for the preparation of the projects which would commence this year, having been embedded in the 2018 budget.

    Sogunro said the project is a fulfillment of Ambode’s promise at the school’s 25th convocation last year.

    Sogunro, who spoke at the 2017/2018 matriculation of part-time students of Laspotech at the weekend, praised Ambode for being supportive to the growth of the school.

    Sogunro also appreciated Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs for providing equipment to the school’s community radio station which would be commissioned soon.

    He said as part of the institution’s new measure towards addressing job insecurity in the country, the new students would undergo a mandatory Agricultural Studies, an indigenous programme recently approved by the polytechnic‘s Academic Board.

    Also, they would participate in the compulsory Students’ Empowerment Entrepreneurship Schemes (SEES), and the Compulsory Computer Education (CCE) programme as directed by the school’s Academic Board and National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the regulatory body for polytechnics and its affiliate nationwide.

    He warned them to desist from anti social behaviours  and extortion of money or items from fellow students.

    “If it is the desire of any bonafide students to belong to any of the associations, I urge you to take the right step in the right direction. Progressive associations promote peace and academic excellence but eschew gangsterism and violence. This clarification is necessary in view of the rampant incidence of cult- related activities in most tertiary institutions in Nigeria today,” Sogunro warned.

    While urging them to abide by their matriculation oath, Sogunro added that the school has approved a two sessions comprising six semesters for all part time students. Henceforth the duration for part time studies is two years as against the previous duration of three years, Sogunro concluded.

     

  • Cultists attack, injure four LASPOTECH students 

    Cultists attack, injure four LASPOTECH students 

    …Police arrest 13

     

    Suspected cultists numbering about 20 Monday night stormed the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) hostile at Ikorodu injuring four.

    Those injured were said to be students of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, who were asleep at the time their attackers struck.

    They were identified as Masud Sanusi, Sherif Muhammad, Kazeem Adebayo and Salawu Jamiu.

    It was gathered that the cultists had earlier stormed the premises in the guise of looking for a rival cultist and some items he might have dropped there.

    The Nation learnt that when they did not see anything, the hoodlums left only to return around 9pm and started attacking occupants of the hostile.

    According to the state’s MSSN President, Dr. Saheed Ashafa, the attack was to forcefully initiate a Muslim student.

    He said: “Our members in Ikorodu were attacked by cultists in their hostel last night (Monday). According to the report sent to me on Tuesday, they (the attackers) were actually trying to initiate a brother (Muslim student) in Ordinary National Diploma (OND) one (part time).

    “So they wanted to intimidate the MSSN hostel where he resides to get their way. I was informed that the cultists have been threatening him from school with the support of a lecturer.

    “They had access to the hostel at first by claiming that they are searching for their missing item but later said they were looking for a student who usually hung around the hostile.

    “They left and around 9pm, returned numbering aboit 20 and started attacking our brothers. One was seriously injured and three others sustained minor injuries.

    “When I got there four of the suspects have been arrested and handed over to the school security.  They were interrogated and released but the school management said they would investigate the matter and get all those involved.

    “They said they allowed them to go because they need to get all those who took part in the attack. They also said that some of the suspects already have previous cases hanging on their necks.”

    Irked by the attack, MSSN LASPOTECH chapter described the attack as injustice of the greatest order, which they would not condone.

    This is just as the Police said they arrested 13 suspected members of the Eiye confraternity in Lekki.

    They were arrested around 12am, at Last Quarters, Jakande Estate, where they were having a meeting.

    It was gathered that detectives had earlier caught one Felix Balogun, who burgled the home of one Tunji in a bid to rob.

    Upon arrest, he confessed to being a member of the cult group and led detectives to Last Quarters, where the others were apprehended.

    According to the command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) said the suspects have been terrorising and robbing residents of the Jakande Estate and Ilesan.

    He said: “The said Balogun led a team of policemen to their criminal hideout at Last Quarters by Ontop Sand, Jakande Estate, where 12 suspects were rounded up in their meeting room.

    “They confessed to having guns and other dangerous weapons. Further investigation led to the recovery of weapons from their hideout.”

  • LASPOTECH students groan as govt, workers fight over arrears

    LASPOTECH students groan as govt, workers fight over arrears

    Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) students have been out of their classrooms thrice between May and this month. Reason: disagreement involving the unions, management and Lagos State Government over the payment of some arrears. With the parties sticking to their guns, chances of a lasting solution seem far fetched, reports KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE.

    Academic activities resumed on Monday at the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) after a series of strike (May 2017; June 5-20 and August 1-15, 2017). However, the case involving the workers’unions and the Lagos State Government over the implementation of the Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Scale (CONTISS) 15 is pending at the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Lagos.

    The court has directed the parties to resolve the matter, failing which it would go into adjudication. How the issue will be resolved is yet to be seen.

    At the root of the matter is the payment of arrears following the government’s agreement to domesticate the 2009 Agreement involving the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and the Federal Government in 2010.

    Implementation, according to ASUP in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Olayinka Uthman, was to start in 2011. It  claimed  that the government agreed to pay arrears from 2009. Part of the CONTISS 15 was to be sourced from the polytechnic’s internally-generated revenue.

    Following the government’s approval, the immediate past rector, Dr Abdulazeez Lawal, set up a committee to set out modalities for migration to CONTISS 15. The committee, in its June 2014 report, noted that it would cost N19,718, 559 outside the institution’s wage bill to pay the allowance monthly.

    The polytechnic sought approval to begin payment of the CONTISS 15 and migrate to the new scheme of service approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in September 2014, which would cost a total of N229,401,307.

    In June, last year, the government increased the institution’s subvention from N153,731,200 per month to N210 million and approved the implementation of the CONTISS 15.  However, the Special Adviser on Education, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, directed the institution to dedicate half of its internally generatd (IGR) to paying back part of its outstanding debt which stood at N2,778, 549,846,21.

    The government began paying the CONTISS 15. However, a source told The Nation that trouble started when the unions began to ask for arrears, which the government had said it did not owe.

    But, ASUP disagreed, saying it did not ask for arrears of since 2009 to be paid at once.  The union also accused Bank-Olemoh and the Rector, Oluyinka Sogunro of giving false information to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode about the matter.

    In its statement, Uthman said: “We don’t have any issues with the Lagos State government or the person of the amiable governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on the CONTISS 15 arrears.

    “We are fighting for a legitimate reason as enshrined in a National Board for Technical Education, (NBTE) letter.

    “Lagos State government has made provision for the arrears therefore Lagos State government is not owing LASPOTECH staff.

    “There is availability of ‘spendable’ funds to the tune of N249,000,000 accrued from the polytechnic’s IGR and excess monthly subventions from the government to offset part of the arrears. This information is contained in the report of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Education’s fact finding committee that was signed by the LASPOTECH management and representatives of the unions in July 2017.

    “The unions never for once requested for 87 months arrears at a go, it was just the SAE/rector’s unpopular propaganda. The unions only requested for 12 months, while the remaining should be prorated for years in line with the NBTE’s caveat.”

    On being approached, Bank-Olemoh said the case was in court.  He added that the government remained committed to the institution’s development.

    “The case is in court. We are committed to making all our institutions into citadels of learning. Workers of our tertiary institutions receive their salaries and allowances on time every month, unlike other states where they owe salaries.

    “The governor has approved for us to build a new stadium, administrative block and auditorium at LASPOTECH,” he said.

    However, a source in the Lagos State Ministry of Education noted that the workers were making demands difficult for the government to fulfill. The source added that the NBTE informed the government that the implementation should start in 2013 and that the CONTISS 15 should not apply to all workers.

    “They are asking us to pay CONTISS 15 arrears from 2009 – about N1.7 billion. We are saying that we do not owe the money. They are saying that it was an agreement with the Federal Government. But you know such agreements are to be domesticated with state governments.

    “We wrote to the NBTE when we wanted to implement the agreement and the NBTE sent us a 150-page report, which stated that the implementation started in 2013. The NBTE said that the money is not for everybody.  If we pay according to what the NBTE report says, 80 per cent of the workers will not get it.

    “We sent the report to the unions and the governing council of the institution to review and revert to us.  When the union was going to respond, ASUP claimed that the report was fake,” the source said.

    The institution’s  Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olanrewaju Kuye, also declined to comment because   “the case was in court so I would not comment’’.

  • LASPOTECH staff unions resume strike

    LASPOTECH staff unions resume strike

    The Lagos State polytechnic staff unions  (ASUP,SSANIP,NASU) resumed the suspended strike action after the expiration of the 21days ultimatum given to the management to respond to their requests.
    The 21days ultimatum however as elapsed yesterday 4th of June 2017, they would now resume their indefinite strike today.
    All normal academic and non-academic activities would not hold on all campuses.
  • ASUP calls for end to dichotomy between Polytechnic and University graduates

    ASUP calls for end to dichotomy between Polytechnic and University graduates

    Ogunseye Timothy, National Vice-President, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), on Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government to end the dichotomy between polytechnic and university graduates in the country.

    Timothy made the appeal on the side line of ASUP first International Conference hosted by the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Chapter of the union in Ikorodu, Lagos.

    The conference had the theme: “Africa’s Solution to Africa’s Challenges: Nigeria’s Perspectives’’.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a bill for an act seeking to end the dichotomy between polytechnic and university graduates passed its second reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

    The bill, which was co-sponsored by Balanga Billiri, Ali Isa and Edward Pwajok, seek to create equal opportunities for graduates from universities and polytechnics, in terms of employment and promotions.

    Timothy said that polytechnic graduates were not inferior to their university counterparts.

    Ogunseye said the unwarranted discriminatory practice of ranking polytechnic graduates lower than university graduates was prevalent among some government agencies and private organizations.

    He commended Kano State Government for its decision not to discriminate but ranked polytechnic and university graduates equally.

    “I do not see any reason why the dichotomy should continue as the same admission requirement applies to candidates choosing polytechnics and universities.

    “Reviewing the curricula of tertiary institutions in terms of practical and other educational contents, polytechnic graduates are far better than universities.

    “Nigerian graduates are equal, notwithstanding the schools they attend. However, this discrepancy between polytechnic and university is worrisome.

    “Without doubt, if the discrimination continues, the country’s technological advancement being the backbone of any economic growth will be negatively affected.

    “As a matter of fact, there is need for employers to change their perception towards HND graduates because BSC holders are not in any way better than them.

    “If care is not taken, competent hands will be short-changed which would handicap the country’s progress,’’ he said.

    Also speaking on the discrimination, former rector of Lagos State Polytechnic, Mr Babatunde Iginla, said removing the dichotomy would encourage economic independence, employment and stability in the labor market.