PREAMBLE
It is with great pleasure and honour that 1, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management Committee, Academic Board, Staff and Students welcome you all to the thirty-eight (38) Matriculation Ceremony of our noble institution, The Federal Polytechnic, Idah. Your presence here today is a reflection of your commitment and interest in the overall growth and development of the Polytechnic, and also a demonstration of the absolute confidence you all have in the present Management of the institution. Once again, you are most warmly welcome.
It is worthy to note that this is the 3rd Matriculation Ceremony that I preside as the Rector of this Institution.
Matriculation Ceremony is a Programme usually organized to formally admit new in-takes into the studentship of the Polytechnic and induct them into the academic environment.
Today, we are matriculating Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty-five (4,245) students admitted in the 2024/2025 Academic Session for the various National diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) Programmes in the Polytechnic.
Let me at this point congratulate you, the matriculating students, as well as your parents or guardians on your successful admission to this great citadel of learning. You are welcome to our academic world. I am assuring you that you will not regret your choice of coming to the Federal Polytechnic, Idah.
Now that you are here as our students, we, as a Polytechnic, as well as your parents and well-wishers, have a high expectation that you will do well both in learning and in character.
As you pursue your various programmes, I expect you to apply yourselves committedly to your studies and ensure that at the end of your stay in this Polytechnic, you must have acquired all the necessary technological skills that will enable you contribute to the technological advancement of our great country, Nigeria.
By this matriculation, the Federal Polytechnic, Idah is symbolically offering you solid foundation to enable you get to the top and podium of success. It is, therefore, expedient on you to take up the challenges presented by this unique opportunity.
Moreover, and very importantly, I wish to charge you to shun cultism, examination malpractices, indecent dressing, religious bigotry and Intolerance, and other vices throughout your studies on this campus. We, as Management, shall not tolerate any act capable of jeopardizing the peaceful co-existing of all members of the Polytechnic Community as well as the growth and progress of the Polytechnic.
THE BAN ON SIGN OUT CEREMONY
The management has ban any forms of sign-out ceremony on the campus, let me advise you, especially the matriculating students, to comply with the ban accordingly to avoid the penalties for violation as any student found wanting in this regard will face the full wrath of the law. Let me call on members of the Nigerian Press to help us tell it to the citizen of the Polytechnic Community and the large society.
EXPANSION OF PROGRAMMES
In addition to the twenty-five programmes of the Polytechnic, three (3) new programmes namely: Chemical Engineering, Agricultural Technology and Banking and Finance have been introduced awaiting Resource Inspection.
STUDENTS WELFARE
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, we, as management shall continue to be Committed to the welfare and security of every member of the Polytechnic Community especially the students.
Congratulations to the students for the introduction of the Career Centre which is a new development, make maximum use of the Career Centre. All thanks to TETFund.
The Management is sensitive to create a conducive learning environment, this Management has embarked on repairs of broken chairs and tables in classrooms to enhance effective learning.
Equally, reading sports at night for students will be created in all the hostels which will be solar powered to carter for those who will love to read in their hostels at night time.
SOGAS LECTURE THEATRE
I am pleased to inform you that history has been made in the Polytechnic. This Lecture theatre has never been put to use since it was built, “Negative nature” came on it and it was abandoned.
This administration under my leadership re-claimed it in less than three months from evil forces.
Today, the 38th Matriculation Ceremony of the Polytechnic is holding right inside the lecture theatre.
To God be the glory.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE OF OUR STUDENTS
It is with great delight, that as I marked my two years in office and 3 Matriculation Ceremony that I preside as the Rector of this Institution, two students of the Polytechnic received the Honurable Minister of Steel, Prince Shaibu Abubakar Audu’s 2024 Essay Completion Prizes at the Kogi Built Environment and Building Materials (BEBM) Exhibition which took place at the NUJ Press Centre, Lokoja.
The Essay Competition with the theme: “Reactivating the Ajaokuta Steel company as a means of Reinvigorating the Nigerian economy” was keenly contested among students of the various tertiary institutions in Kogi State.
Godwin, Philomena Ojochenemi and Idoko, Peace Enyo of Urban and Regional Planning Department of our dear Polytechnic clinched the 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively with cash rewards and awards of certificates.
This is a testament to good learning environment created for both staff and students on campus to compete and excel above their colleagues in other Institutions, those students are here with us today.
CONCLUSION
once again, I wish to urge you to stay away from cultism and other vices. Do to take advantage of the career Centre to develop yourself to be better person when leaving this institution. I pray Almighty God grant you your heart desires.
Thank all of you for coming to grace this ceremony. Let me specially thank the Chairman and members of the Ceremonial Committee for organizing a successful Matriculation Ceremony, as it is always done.
I wish our guests God’s Mercies and safe trip back home.
Thank you and God bless you.