FPI Set To Become No. 1 Polytechnic “Drone & Coding Specialist” In Nigeria – Arc. Aluko

ILARO-YEWA – Arc. Olusegun Olanrewaju Aluko, Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro (FPI), has said that in the next few weeks, he would have succeeded in making FPI – the No. 1 Polytechnic in Nigeria – a “Drone and Coding Specialist”.

Aluko stated this while fielding questions from journalists during a press parley that took place at the Mass Communication Department of the institution on the occasion of two sessions Convocation; 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 of FPI.

The Architect who will be stepping aside at the expiration of his second term in office as the Rector on September 26, 2022, noted that the world will soon hear from the institution because of their Drone and UAB Centre.

His words, “We have mapped out what we call “Drone Corridor” – a vast area of land – solely for training on Drone Aviation.

“One of our Great Alumnus, Dr Tokunbo Ogunfemi brought in four Germans to do extensive 10 days training for our staff on Drone Technology.

“Presently, the Germans are busy training our staff in a project we called “Train the trainers”. They are being trained to be able to train applicants.”

Aluko noted that “Fortunately, Drones are being used for virtually everything. It is becoming lucrative in the world. And I am very sure, apart from the Nigeria Airport Institute of Technology; there is no other institution that is running the course.

“We are expecting learners from any part of the world just like when you want to train Pilot. It is the number of hour you can fly; flying hours will determine when you will be certified.

“The import is that the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, will be known all over the world for its specialization in “Drone and Coding Technology”.

He continued, “I want to thank Dr. Tokunbo Ogunfemi sincerely. He graduated here from SLT Department and presently practicing in United Kingdom. At every Convocation, he’s expected to do something new for this institution”.

Aluko also revealed that FPI has awarded Distinction grade to five hundred and forty-two (542) graduands, saying the distinction graduands had earned the Grade through hard work, as the FPI has remained focus at producing people who “can create employment.

“In 2019/2020, we have graduated a total number of 5,124 students comprising of 1,932 HND and 3,192 ND. Out of these we have 94 Distinctions at HND level, 706 Upper Credit, 924 students at Lower Credit and 138 students at Pass level.

“For the ND, we have 156 with Distinctions, 849 Upper Credit, 1,467 at Lower Credit and 720 at Pass level.

“In the 2020/2021, we will be graduating 5,234 students with 1,754 at HND level. Out of these, 140 had Distinction, 731 had Upper Credit, 790 had Lower Credit, and 93 at Pass Grade.

“For the ND, we are graduating 3,480 students. We have 152 at distinction level. We have 971 at Upper Credit, 1,605 at Lower Credit while we have 752 at Pass stage.

“We have the confidence that when they get to the field, they are going to make impact, because we didn’t only trained them in the field of study, we engage them in other areas that we know they will be able to create employment and become entrepreneur.

“Apart from the training we gave them at the Entrepreneur Centre, we equally gave them training on Robotics and other areas that iTech is needed. We also trained them in the area of Agriculture because we know that a nation that can’t feed itself is a problem to itself”.

Earlier, Arc. Aluko having listed his achievements stated that his administration has tremendously improved the standard of FPI.

He said, “Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, has come to stay. By the grace of God, we are proud to say that we have achieved our aim. Infact, staff strength have increased such that we have gotten additional forty-three (43) PhD holders.

“Today, FPI is number one in Nigeria, and number 70 in all higher institutions combined. This is to show that FPI is not a pushover”.

Expressing his gratitude to his management team for standing behind him in the last seven and half years ago, Aluko also commended the students of FPI for accepting the rules of the institution.

“I thank my students for abiding by the dress code and not join any unregistered society.

“For the media, my gratitude have no bounds”, FPI rector, Arc. Aluko posited.

Member of the management team in attendance include Engr. (Mrs.) I.K. Ogunfayo, Deputy Rector and the Chairman, Ceremonies Committee, Mr. Olusegun Ajibode (Bursar), Mrs. Iyabo Amadu (Member of the Governing Council, representing Ministry of Education) and Dr. (Mrs.) A.F. Osore (Registrar).

Others are Dr. (Mrs.) Oduntan (Open Distance e-Learning), Mr. Femi Bankole (PA to the Rector and Deputy Registrar), Dr. John Bolu-Folayan (HOD Mass Communication), Dr. (Mrs.) C.B. Atulomah (Librarian), Mr. Sola Abiala (Deputy Registrar Public Relations) and Dr. Oluwaṣeun Abati of Department of Mass Communication.