Scrutinizing Dr. Olusegun Aluko As Federal Polytechnic Ilaro Clocks 40

By Sunday Alu

Precisely on July 26th, 1979 a law was promulgated by the Federal military government announcing the creation of  Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, FPI among others and presently located in Ogun State while the motive behind the then newly-born citadel of learning was mainly to be technology-driven.

After four decades of the creation of this  citadel of learning ,and it’s recently 40th birthday celebration, an insight investigations have proven that the institution has surpassed the  set out objectives that were laid down by  FPI forebearers with the present Rector, Dr. Olusegun Sesan Aluko setting the millennium pace by upgrading the institution with the establishment of additional twelve (12) new departments within just four years of his first tenure in office.

It is pertinent to state emphatically that in actualizing  dreams that were outlined by the creators of FPI the current Rector of the institution, Arc Dr, Olusegun Aluko seemed  to be spiritually connected to those noble ideals that propelled the establishment of an institution that is now described as a national academic symbol of pride, and academic asset per  excellence.

According to records , Arc, Aluko joined FPI in 1986 as a lecturer, rising through the ranks to become the Dean of Environmental studies, his dedication, discipline and selfless services were rewarded  with his ascendance  as the rector of FPI , a new cap won on September 24th, 2014.

Speaking on the articulated man servant leadership tactics of Dr Aluko, FPI dean of part-time studies Biodun Oluseye said, Aluko had successfully moved the school forward in various spheres of intellectual capabilities and proven abilities to take the now acclaimed as one of the best institutions in the country to greater height.

According to  Oluseye   the incumbent management of the school has done tremendously well in all ramifications of human and educational development.

The Public Relations Officer, FPI, Sola Abiala said the management of the school anchored by Arc. Aluko enjoys massive supports and loyalty from members of staff, students and constituents of the management team of FPI.

He posited that the cordial working relationship that stitched the members of the management team and the board of directors of the institution together is solely responsible for the conducive atmosphere that envelopes the institution in oneness of purposeful leadership which have resulted to the unequal quality the school has attained today compared with the past administrators of the institution.

The constituents of the FPI constituency have  continued to thumb up the leadership skills of  rector , Aluko and the appreciation of the institution’s community of how Dr. Aluko is performing to their liking, the sky remains open for more performance.

They note that his readiness to listen and address issues appropriately has endeared him to his peers and members of the school community.

Olusegun Aluko speaking on the 40th year celebration of the polytechnic could not find words to describe the feat that had been archived since the establishment of the school.

Aluko, who celebrated the successes and sacrifices made by his predecessors boasting that the institution is now equal among its peers.

While enumerating his contributions towards the upliftment of FPI, Aluko fingered the birth of the department of mass communication as one of his legacies that would not be forgotten so easily. Apart from the establishment of Mass Communication department, other new departments Dr. Aluko created are Library information science, Agric Engineering, Agric-science, Leisure & Tourism, Taxation, Insurance, Arts&Design, Music Technology, Public Admin, Mechatronics, and Welding&Fabrication.

According to him, the creation of the department of mass-communication has broken the monopoly savored by MAPOLY in the churning out of the crème de la crème of the media industry in Nigeria and media professionals who are adjudged to be successful while practicing off the shores of Nigeria.

He disclosed that the institution would soon commence the operation of an ultra-modern fuel filling station to render quality services to the school community.

He added that the school would in a couple of weeks start its own radio station for broadcasting services.

According to him, arrangements have been concluded to flag off FPI campus radio services.

The rector revealed that the friendly trade union relationship enjoyed by his led management is a fruit of his commitment to the welfare of members of staff at FPI.

Aluko stated that the management holds sacred all issues relating to the welfare of FPI workers, dismissing the insinuation that the school management is in the habit of gratifying the trade unions to wade off industrial actions.

He argued that where the demands and suggestions from professional trade union groups like ASUP are promptly and appropriately addressed the need for industrial disputes would hardly breed its ugly head.

Further speaking at an event organized to commemorate FPI at 40, Aluko warned that graduates of the institution, who engage in any activity that would dent the image of the school will be ordered to forfeit their certificates.

He explained that the certificates obtained from the institution are properties of the school and could be withdrawn from the possession of FPI  alumni who are caught or indicted of committing acts that could demonize the school.

Aluko hinted that he is unrepentant in enforcing strict on-campus compliance to decent dressing attitude. He said professionals should adorn decent apparels, this he said distinct them from others, citing examples of the dressing and hairstyle codes been adopted by those in the law profession.

Investigation reveals that the rector does not blink over security issues,  aside morale-boosting initiatives for security operatives, recently the  school security personnel were offered pairs of new uniforms with the pledge to furnish them with work boots.

Also it was discovered that the school has continued to enjoy peaceful atmosphere, FPI is well secluded from the activities of human and other types of predators that Dr. Aluko led managements since its inception swallowed the old adage, which states that “all work without play makes Jack a dull boy,” this belief is the precinct for the unwavering  supports  doled to sports and other on-campus social activities.

The 2019 edition of the FPI Rector’s cup won by the department of Public administration, alongside open-air concerts are testimonies to the lively social atmosphere on FPI campus, the school community are spared the time and resources to bite the social aspect of life.

The untiring Rector who is always filled with many progressive ideas promised to do everything possible and within his capability to take the institution to more greater height before the end of his new four-year tenure come to an end.

Tongues have continued to wag over the cordial relationship between the school and its host community, Olusegun Aluko being born into a monarchical lineage to comprehend the sanctity of the royal institutions and how to deplore the royal tools in enhancing the co-habitation with the ivory tower community and its host communities.

The achievements of Dr. Aluko since he took charge at FPI which could be best described as modest were adjudged to be enviable enough too have earned him another second term four years fresh mandate, which was handed to him in 2019.

The successes achieved by Arc. Aluko can not be said to be complete without mentioning Deaconess Mrs. Omowumi Aluko who was part of the brain box.  that made the achievement of Dr. Olusegun Aluko possible.

As the saying goes that behind every successful man a woman must be behind him, so Mrs. Aluko must have been playing a significant role by making the house peaceful and conducive that enable the rector to relax at home after the day’s work and ruminate on how the next day activities can be successful. So we equally congratulate the wife too for her perseverance, diligence, and understanding.

Sunday Alu, a Journalist writes from Kano