As part of efforts to ensure seamless commencement of academic activities at the Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia, following the approval of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), to transfer accredited courses of the old Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta to the new Polytechnic at Ipokia, the Ogun State Government has announced the appointment of Dr. Samson Adeola Odedina as the pioneer Rector of the institution.

Dr. Odedina was a one-time Rector of the Gateway Information Communication Technology (GICT) Polytechnic, Itori.

In the same vein, it also approved the constitution of a Governing Council for the institution, with Ambassador Isiaka Adesola Abolurin as Chairman.

The acting Rector of the old MAPOLY, Abeokuta, Mr. Ayo Tella, will now function as the Deputy Rector for the combined and newly created Ogun State Polytechnic.

Other members of the Council are Engr. Niyi Olumide, Alhaji Waheed Kadiri, Prof. Kayode Biodun Olurin, Messrs Olaolu Idowu, Idowu Adegbite, Akin Orebiyi and Mrs Moji Bobade (nee Abiose).

Others are Mr. Hakeem Olatunbosun Ayoade, representing the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Alumni Association, Chief Jare Oyesola, representing the Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCIMA) and Mrs. Roselyn A. Onalaja, representing the National Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA.

The new Rector, Dr. Odedina, holds a Ph.D in Crop Production from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, M.Sc in Crop Science from Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, among other educational and professional qualifications.

He joined the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, in 1990 and rose through the ranks to the position of Chief Lecturer in 2012 and was appointed Provost of the institution in 2015.

Fifty-two-year-old Odedina had a stint with the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP), as Village Extension Agent in Ajebo village between 1986 and 1987.

He has over 60 publications in National and International media.

Chairman of the Governing Council, Ambassador Isiaka Adesola Abolurin, was a career Diplomat, who served as in various capacities at the Nigeria High Commission in Kenya, Nigerian Embassies in Germany and South Korea, among other foreign Missions.

He retired in 2016 as the State Coordinator/Head of United Nations office, Malakal, Upper Nile State.

He holds a Masters of International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Ibadan.

In another development, the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has approved the appointment of the Zonal Legal Adviser (South-West) and immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state, Alh. Tajudeen Lemboye as the Amir-ui-Hajj to this year’s holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The new Amir-ui-Hajj holds a number of traditional and religious chieftaincy titles, including the Ekerin of Igbore Muslims and Gamji Musulumi of Sabo community in Abeokuta, among others.

Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, said in a statement issued on Wednesday: “With this appointment, he is expected to lead the state’s delegation to perform the Hajj exercise.

“The governor wishes the Amir-ui-Hajj and other pilgrims a worthwhile and rewarding pilgrimage to the holy land.

“He also enjoins them to be good ambassadors of the State and abide by the laws of their host country while the exercise lasts.”

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