The Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Engr. Obafemi Omokungbe last Wednesday, clocked one year in office. At a low-key celebration organized by Rectory staff, Engr. Omokungbe thanked God for backing him, as well as staff and students for their unflinching support.
In his speech titled “Our Path to Posterity so Far”, the Rector noted that at the commencement of this journey and on assumption of office, he resolved to leave the institution better than the way he met it, and this conviction led him to his expressed mission and vision for the College which was presented at the first family meeting in 2018. The vision, major on Academic Improvement and Development, Infrastructural Development and Upgrading/Refurbishment of Existing Structures, Welfare of Staff and Students, as well as Expansion/Improvement of Internally Generated Revenue.
Omokungbe hinted that one year is a short time to judge the performance of an administration, we have albeit tried to lay the foundation and provided the signposts for our direction in the years to come, and during the one year we have completed most of the uncompleted projects that have implication for the necessary growth of the College.
“The College Central Research Laboratory is now functional and opened to staff, students and the general public for research activities. Construction of Hostel classroom blocks and the perimeter fence at Epe and the College water factory which were abandoned are nearing completion as the Contractors had to be called back to the site after a protracted negotiation. The provision of improved student service has been established through effective communication and confidence building activities between students and Management. The rejuvenation of the Hall Warden Committee for effective student’s services and Hostel administration. The massive renovation of students hostels to provide a conducive environment for residents including the provision of hostel furniture e.g Bed, Mattresses etc. Efforts are also being made to return the recreational rooms (common room) in the hostels which were allocated to food vendors to the students. Provision of basic amenities like water, electricity, clean and hygienic environment, provision and repair of classroom furniture etc.”
According to him, so much effort has been made by the Academic Board to entrench a stable Academic Calendar to align the College with global best practices for the first time, in many years the 2017/2018 session was concluded peacefully without any student hiccups. The long lost time for the Part-Time programme was curbed to inform diplomatic moves and the uncommon cooperation of the Academic staff union.
Rector stated that efforts are underway to procure all necessary equipment for the laboratories and workshops in preparation for the impending accreditation of program in the College, and thereby acknowledged additional achievements e.g; The introduction and appointment of Sub-Dean to assist in effective administration of the schools, Repair of the College roads for easy movement, Resuscitation of staff buses, Repair of several abandoned College vehicles for the use of Principal Officers, Council members and other official assignments, Purchase of befitting vehicles for the Rector and Registrar of the College, Renovation of the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium, Improve security is a major milestone as staff and student can easily move around the College premises without fear of molestation, Significant effort has been made in the area of capacity development. The re-introduction of the voting system has provided an opportunity for many staff to attend conferences and workshops and others form of training.
He therefore appreciated staff and students for their loyalty, and affirmed that the journey is still long and we are not even yet halfway, and thereby solicited for their support and cooperation in the years ahead with more dedication, commitment, self discipline and charged them to collectively leave a legacy worthy of emulation, and to move the College to its proper and enviable position, and truly leave it as the best and most preferred institution.
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