Professor J.B Awoderu Bids Goodbye to AAPOLY After 8 Years, Thanks God for Using Her to Revive the Institution.

The former Rector of Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo, Professor Jumoke Bilesanmi Awoderu, on Friday, bid farewell to the institution after an 8-year administrative journey.

The 3-day event designed to celebrate the achievements and legacies of the former Rector kicked off with a football match on Wednesday at the school field, where the Female Staff played against the Female Football Team. 

The school witnessed Cultural Displays, Celebratory Speeches, Dance and other entertaining elements on Thursday and on Friday, students, staff, friends, families and colleagues came out in their large numbers to celebrate the enigmatic woman who many regard as the Pioneer of a New AAPOLY.

Professor Awoderu and her family had first held a thanksgiving service at the St Peter’s Cathedral, Ijebu-Igbo, before heading to the Alhaja Kaka hall of the institution for the final lap of the Send-Off programme.

She expressed her appreciation to God, staff, students, colleagues and her family for the journey, saying that she wouldn’t have done anything if God had not used her.

Professor Awoderu said “My time here is a divine mission by God. I have been divinely favoured. God saw attributes in me and He used me to better the institution. I can only give Him the glory for using me to change the face of the institution from a struggling institution almost facing extinction to an institution where students and staff can be proud to identify with. When I came in at the approval of Senator Biyi Durojaiye,, the academic culture of the institution was not to be reckoned with. Very little facilities could be seen. Even lecturers were not ready to improve themselves academically as very little had 2^nd degrees and there were no PHDs.

But to the glory of God, we ensured that TETFUND was approved and we now beautiful buildings and structures,  a PHD holder among the staff, some lecturers  running their Doctorate degrees on scholarships and others who have been sponsored abroad to study.”

As part of the event to send Awoderu off on a big note, two books were launched. Seasoned academics were also present to review the book and buy on the spot.

Professor Awoderu in her closing remarks asked the staff to pull their weight behind the new rector so that the institution can continue to reach giant strides. She also, thanked staff, students, and well-wishers for the love and support since the first day of her tenure.

“Former Rector was an angel sent by God to rewrite the story of the institution.”- Fanika

A Student Representative of the institution, Olatunde Fanika while extolling the virtues of Professor Jumoke Bilesanmi Awoderu said that the former Rector is an angel sent by God to rewrite the story of the institution and give it a new face. Fanika, who is currently a Youth Service Corp member made this statement while giving a speech at the Rector’s Send-Off programme, noting that the institution is what it is today because of Professor Awoderu’s  unflinching zeal to make the school a force to reckon with.

Fanika said “When I and a few other students got in here few years ago, the institution was grossly understaffed, with cultism and riots paralyzing the academic structure of the school.  The school lacked proper infrastructure, and some courses were either not accredited or overdue for accreditation. However, 

hope for continued existence was restored when Professor Jumoke Bilesanmi Awoderu came in as in due time, things started to change positively”.

Fanika also noted that Professor Awoderu ensured massiverecruitment of lecturers, upgrade of the school portal and ICT department and the remarkable presence of a  JAMB Accreditation centre in the institution. 

He thanked the Professor for restoring hope and reputation in the school and making it an habitable learning community.  He said the rector gave 8  years of her life, making indelible impact and now he is proud to answer as a student of AAPOLY.

Former Rector is an Icon – Ogunbote 

Another Student Representative, Ogunbote Mariam said that the former Rector is an icon that should be given all the respect and honour because she has earned it. 

Ogunbote, while speaking with Pressmen at the event noted that the Polytechnic has seen huge development since Professor Awoderu’s emergence as the Rector and it is only right that people respect  the hardwork, dedication and commitment she has put in, in 8 years. 

Ogunbote further appreciated Professor Awoderu for putting the interest of students at heart, prioritizing quality  education and making sure that graduates were qualified enough to compete at the highest levels.  

“I wish her success in her future endeavors and pray that anywhere she goes from here, she would continue to do amazingly well”, she said.

 

Professor J.B. Awoderu is a Builder – DSA

The Director of Students Affairs, Olumuyiwa Otuewu at the event on Friday expressed happiness over Professor Awoderu’s record-making achievements and thanked her for investing her time in the professional development of the staff amongst other great feats. 

He said “Personally, I feel happy for her. I’m sure that many of us would have still wanted her here. She has impacted the school and lives of many people as you can see. Structurally, she has done a good job in the school. We cannot thank Professor Awoderu enough for the massive  infrastructural facelift and the academic stability of the institution as regards smooth flow of administration”.

Talking about how Professor Awoderu helped him adjust on his job as the Director of Students Affairs, Otuewu said the former Rector’s mentorship has helped him work around things professionally.

He prayed for a higher appointment for the former Rector and projected that Professor Awoderu would replicate the huge feat she has achieved here in other institutions.

She Gave A Lot to Sports Develoment - Ogbonna

One of the institution’s notable footballers, Miracle Ogbonna at the event, extolled the former Rector’s achievement in the Sports sector. Ogbonna said that the Rector was always ready to give all needed support during sports competitions especially the Gateway Institution Games (GATIG) hosted by the Ministry of Sports.

She said “I want to commend  the former Rector for pulling all her weight behind us anytime we were engaged in any sporting activity. She would always give us enough resources and the chance to show what we got outside the classrooms”.

Ogbonna also commended the Rector’s efforts for ensuring that the good standard of education has been  sustained, saying that the school’s decision to always prevent strike actions speak highly of  how  intentional Professor Awoderu was about quality and timely education.

Praying for the Rector, Ogbonna hoped that the former Rector achieves more success even more than she has achieved at the Polytechnic.

 

She is a Blessing to the Institution - Students Affairs Officer

Speaking with Pressmen, the Students Affairs Officer of the Polytechnic, Adebamiro Damilola noted that the former Rector has been a blessing to the Polytechnic, looking at how she has  changed the face of the institution over the years.

He said “When she came, there were months of outstanding salaries and the institution had no proper structures. But she came and made sure staff were paid and are still paid on time. Now, we have a conducive atmosphere for learning and administrative purposes, new and  upgraded facilities and better work environment”.

Adebamiro also mentioned that the former Rector has been totally supportive especially in his personal role as the Students Affairs Officer. 

He gave credence to the former Rector’s  financial and moral support whenever the need to mobilize Youth Corp members arose. “Her valuable support and professional investments has also improved our mental psyche over the years and I wish her all the best and God’s blessings because her name will never be forgotten in the sands of time” he concluded.