By Alade  Aromashodu & Ediri  Emujohworuo

Lagos City Polytechnic,(LCP), the first private polytechnic in Nigeria, held its 5th Convocation Ceremony recently, attended by eminent persons from all walks of life.

On behalf of the member of the Governing Council, Faculty members and graduating classes, Engr. B.A. Odufuwa, Chairman Governing Council, congratulated the graduates for the successful completion fo their various programmes.

He said that the ceremony marked a significant milestone as the graduating students complete one phase of life to move into another.

“Although it may not have been easy, I’m sure that you will agree that it has been well worth the task.”

Odufuwa, advised the graduands not to rest on their oars adding that “education is a continuing process and that for our society not to die in the face of charging times, they must continue to learn and be educated. He went on:

“It must imbibe in the culture of life, long-learning and be able to produce large number of scientifically and technologicaslly-litereates, innovation receptive, highly adaptable and problem-solving minded people.

“Your great institution, LCP has equipped each graduand with skills, values and attitudes necessary to become effective producers, consumers and good citizens in a democratic society,” adding: “It is now up to you to see road blocks as stepping stones, to see problems as opportunities to be stronger and see the sky not as your limit but as your starting point into the entire universe,” Engr. Odufuwa exhorted.

The chairman also charged those leaving LCP who are entering the world of work to be worthy ambassadors of not only their families but also of LCP. He further advised: “Do not lose your head when other around are losing theirs! Tread the straight and narrow path, which leads to blissful life! Keep the flag of good upbringing high to the Glory of your creator.

Meanwhile, the institution awarded diploma certificates to 1,692 students for 2007/2008; 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 academic sessions respectively; out of which 124 graduands awarded Distinction.

According to him, as a nation, the imperatives of re-assessing our national goals, focus, and vision cannot be over-emphasised. This brings about re-appraising the very foundation of key issues such as education, health, housing and wealth creation for ordinary Nigerians to live above poverty line.

He described the exploitative tendencies of parents nowadays that further contribute to our inability as a nation to be creative and bring about necessary innovation and development.

“It is common for parents to start sending their children to school at age 2, before long at age 8 or 9, they have completed the elementary education. At age 14, the kids have completed the secondary level or high school education. Within a twinkle of an eye, university education is completed at age 18 or 19,” Odufuwa submitted.

He accused parents who no longer care or have regards for developmental process of a child.

Among those present at the ceremony were the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola; Speaker of House of Assembly, Hon. Ikuforiji, His Royal Highness, De-Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi 1, Akran of Badagry and many other prominent persons.

In his own submission, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji reiterated that to take forward our community, village, city, state, or world, we need knowledge, sciences and arts. Those tools empower us to sincerely see a more just world. These are the summations of the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji at the 5th Convocation and Graduation ceremony of the Lagos City Polytechnic, Ikeja recently.