The Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Oyo State has pledged to prioritise the human capacity development of staff as the new institution moves towards stability and commencement of academic activities.
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Dakas Clement James Dakas (SAN), stated this last Friday shortly after the Council’s meeting which was held at the institution’s temporary site in Iresa-Pupa.
The Professor of law noted that human capacity plays an important role in the overall success of any organisation, adding that the Polytechnic is committed to building the capacity of staff, especially in terms of assessing research grants.
According to him, “The staff are very critical components, whether teaching or non-teaching. Indeed, because of the importance we attached to the staff, the Council addressed them at her last meeting to intimate them with a sense of understanding, the vision and mission of the Polytechnic and the current drive of the council which was very important to us.
He expressed further that “Because we need staff to give their very best, part of what we have done is to build the capacity of staff in terms of orientation and sustainable training. The management has been directed, subject to the availability of funds to activate this”.
He also clarified that “We hope that over the cause of time, the Office of Research and Development and the Senior Management person in charge of Research, Development and Linkages will build the capacity of staff, especially in terms of accessing research grants because research grants are very critical”.
“In renowned universities and higher institutions across the world, the staff that are giving their best are those that were able to access research grants,” he added.
While emphasising that as part of a paradigm shift, the institution would want to see a great deal of focus on research and development, Prof. Dakas also hinted that the Council aimed at enhancing the profile and visibility of the Polytechnic.
The Council chairman, in a statement through the Institution’s Corporate Communications Committee further charged the staff to give their very best, calling on them to key into the vision and mission of the Polytechnic and the current drive of the Council.
“There may be some teething problems because we are a new institution. One of the things we told the staff during the address was that they must consider it a rare honour and privilege to be pioneer staff of this institution and they should be able to look back some years after now and be able to say ‘we set up the solid foundation.’ We are confident at both Council and Management levels to take giant strides such that we will also look back years to come with nostalgia and with a great sense of pride that we have justified the confidence reposed in us,” the statement quoted the Council chairman.
The legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who was visibly elated at the harmonious working relationship, commended all the stakeholders, especially the host communities for their cooperation and support enjoyed so far by the institution.
He continued, “Let me reaffirm and reinforce our deep sense of gratitude to the host communities. They have welcomed us with open arms and have a justified reason for the Federal Government locating this Institution in this very community. We deeply appreciate the commitment of both the political and traditional Institutions.”