BY SIKIRU AKINOLA

The newly appointed Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, Mr Patrick Hussaini, has said that insecurity is stifling the economic development of the country.

Speaking at the 20th matriculation ceremony which took place at the institution’s sports pavillion, Hussaini noted that Nigeria cannot afford to be left out of the technological race, adding that the institution would continue to comply fully with the Federal Government policy of 70:30 ratio of admission in favour of science, technology and engineering to business and arts related courses.

Given the breakdown of the lucky matriculants, the Rector said that a total number of 33, 954 candidates applied for admission into the institution through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) out of which about 15,000 candidates came for the Post-UTME screening exercise.

Charging them to count themselves lucky as admission into tertiary institutions is highly competitive, Builder Hussaini said that a total number of 1, 233 were eventually given admission into National Diploma full-time while 876 were admitted into the Higher National Diploma, affirming that 876 and 104 candidates were admitted into ND and HND part-time programme respectively.

He observed that the institution is committed to promoting technological education and ensuring that many candidates secure admissions into science and technology-based courses. The introduction of Agricultural Engineering Technology and Fashion Design Technology, he said, is in top gear.

His words; ‘’Be rest assured that as a new administration, we shall focus on students’ welfare; serving the best educational interest of our students on teaching excellence; communicating knowledge to students to think critically and analytically; and inspire in them independence of thought and self discipline. Also, we shall create a learning environment in which students and staff find satisfaction in their work and feel proud in their achievement.”