OSCOTECH, Esa-Oke Holds 2022 Board, Management Retreat... Read the communiqué

As the Osun State administration under the watch of Governor Gboyega Oyetola aims at instilling and inculcating  self-reliant mindsets and the development of both physical and intellectual skills which will enable the youth/students to be useful members of the society, the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke (OSCOTECH) has convened a three day 2022 Governing Board and Management retreat from Tuesday 8th March to Thursday 10th March.

The Retreat, took place at the Miccom Golf Hotel, Ada with the theme "Envisioning the Critical Stakeholders for the Great Aspiration" was organized as part of the College administration's strategic initiative to aid the performance and contributions of the 8th Governing Council members to the uplifting of the College. The Retreat was also meant to ensure that OSCOTECH innovates it's way out of the various challenges it is confronting presently.

The retreat was attended by all the members of the newly constituted Governing Council and other senior management of the College, the retreat is taking place virtually.

The Retreat was declared open by Hon. Folorunso Oladoyin-Bamisayemi, the representative of the Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Olugboyega Alabi on started with a welcome address given by Rt. Hon. Akintunde Adegboye, the Chairman of the Governing Council.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman, used the opportunity to appreciate the Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola " who in his wisdom had appointed us as members of of the 8th Governing Council of the College in January, 2022." He said.

Delivering his keynote address, the Osun State commissioner for Education, Hon. Folorunso Oladoyin-Bamisayemi, highlighted some of the issues that must attract the attention of the Council immediately which according to him include the problem of understaffing inclusive of the contract staff who have stayed for twenty years and demotivated, getting value for money i.e ensuring judicious use of IGR and ensuring professionalism among staffers of the college i.e maintenance of professionalism and adherence to standards by the workforce by eliminating evil/unethical practices like sex for marks and other sharp practices within the system.

In his address the Rector of the College, Dr. Samson Omobayo Adegoke affirmed that the theme of this year’s retreat is meant to nudge the Governing Board and Management team on how OSCOTECH can sustain and surpass its impressive track record of performance over the years.

Papers capturing different dimensions of the theme were presented by eminent speakers including Dr. J. S. Oke, former Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, Mrs. Afolabi Ayobami Gbemisola Director, Code of Conduct Bureau, Osun State, Others were Mr. Adeosun S. Lekan, Dr. Niyi Oginni, Dr. B.S. Agbolade, Mr. Gbenga Olowoyo and of course Dr. S.A.O. Adegoke (Rector, College of Technology, Esa-Oke) 

The Governing Council Members was led by the Chairman, RT. Hon. Akintunde Adegboye are; Otunba Aderemi Adefila- Political Member, Chief Olaniyi Oyeleye- Political Member, Chief Cornelius  Edewusi- Political Member, Barrister Abimbola Ige- Political Member, Hon. Isa Abimbade- Political Member, Hon. Hon Ojo Bukola Akintunde- Political Member, Hon  Sadiq Wakeel Adebayo - Political Member, Hon. Segilola Adeniyi Thomas- Political Member, Mr. Sanya Adewuyi- Rep Ministry of Education, Barrister Adeoye Popoola- Rep CD, Parastatatals and monitoring,M  Popoola- Rep Ministry of Finance, Prince Adenle-  Rep  Alumni, Mrs  Adekunle- Congregation Rep and Dr Akande - Rep Congregation.

Other members of the College's management staff at the retreat include Dr. Lawrence Oludare Adeyeri- Deputy Rector, Mr. Samuel Olufemi Popoola- Registrar, Mr. Julius Olusegun Makinde- Bursar,  Prince Ayoola Adediran- Coordinator of Library,Engr. Edward Ojo- Coordinator of Works, Dr. Wale Oyekanmi- Director, Media and Partnership among others. 

At the end of the three (3) day retreat and having extensively  discussed the presentations, the following observations and recommendations were made and presented by the Chairman, Communique Committee, Prince Biodun Oloyede as follows;

(1) The Retreat noted the parlous State of funding of the Institution and appeal to the State Government to increase its allocation to the College. It charged the College on its own to fashion out more creative ways of generating funding (especially through its internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to make it less dependent on the Government.

(2) The Retreat further called on Political Office holders both at the Federal and State levels, Philanthropists, the Alumni Association and International donor agencies to come to the aid of the Institution in the area of infrastructural development and other needs. The participants went on to commend the efforts of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund) for its salutary role in the infrastructural development of the College.  

(3) The Retreat expressed concern over the non-recruitment of staff in the Institution in the past fifteen years, while noting the College’s effort to bridge the gap with contract employment, the Retreat called on the State Government to, as a matter of urgency, lift the embargo on staff recruitment in Tertiary Institutions in the State  especially in the areas of critical needs.  It enjoined the State Government to also take steps to change the Contract nature of some of the Staff to a permanent one to boost the morale of this category of Staff.  Participants also advised that Government can, in the first instance, replace staff that had resigned, retire, or died in the last five years without actually increasing the salary wage bill by way of subvention.  

(4) The Participants noted that the College edict had been in use since 1992 when it was enacted and had not been reviewed. It has therefore become obvious that some of the provisions therein had become obsolete and should be reviewed. The Retreat therefore called on the Institution to take all necessary steps to have the edict reviewed by the State House of Assembly.

(5) That participants noted with concern the new fad of turning polytechnics to Universities in the country and called on government to put a stop to this.  The Retreat affirmed the necessity of Technical and Vocational Education in the Country which they see as a panacea to ravaging unemployment It therefore call on Government to encourage Polytechnic education rather than transit them into Universities.   

(6) Participants noted the role of Councils in the Polytechnic as pivotal and a driver for better administration.  It therefore calls for understanding and openness between Council and Management in order to achieve the mission and vision of the Institution. It enjoins them to avoid areas of friction that could cause rancour within the system.

(7) That Council and Management should take congnisance of the various laws associated with Contract and Procurement especially as laid down by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the State Procurement Agency provisions in order to ensure transparency, accountability and due diligence in management of scarce resources.  

(8) That the Alumni Association if well explored and courted could become a strong Contributor to the development of the Institution.  The Retreat therefore, called on the Alumni Association to give back to their alma mata in all possible ways.   

(9) Participants at the Retreat resolved that the College should explore the high potentials of Public Private Partnership for rapid infrastructural development.  

(10) Finally, the Retreat called on the State government to assist the Institution in the Accreditation and Re-accreditation of its programs by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) as it requires huge financial commitment.