NAPS PASSES VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON OLOYEDE, PRESENTS HIM ICON OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD

By Iyojo Ameh

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has passed a vote of confidence on the Registrar, Emeritus Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, while also presenting him with an award of excellence – “Icon of Educational Development in Nigeria.”

The presentation of the award was made when the leadership of polytechnic students in Nigeria, under the aegis of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), paid him a courtesy visit at the Board’s National Headquarters, Bwari, Abuja, on Tuesday, 25th February, 2025.

While speaking, the immediate past President of the students union, Comrade Rilwan Opeyemi, commended Prof. Oloyede’s developmental drives in education while apologising for their unruly behaviour the last time the Association visited the Board, disclosing that they were misled by some of their Rectors.

In his words, “We thank you for your guidance and direction. We recall that the last time we visited, there was a misunderstanding. We were pushed by some Rectors, who had misinformed us that JAMB was the stumbling block preventing some of our members from participating in the NYSC but the advice you gave us then, has started yielding positive results.

You are, indeed, a Godsend and we are proud of you. We also extend our gratitude to members of your Management team, not only in the National Headquarters but also across the country, they have been tested and trusted.

“Your open-door policy and transparency is known to all right from your time as the Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin. We have never heard anyone calling you out for corruption neither have we seen anyone accusing you of corrupt practices.

“Our attention has also been drawn to the various developmental projects you have initiated as the Registrar of JAMB particularly with respect to the establishment of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), a body that had been taking care of the examination and admission needs of candidates with special needs.

“It is on this note that we decided to present you with an award of excellence in service delivery. The last person that received this award was Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, when he was serving as the Vice President of Nigeria. Sir, this award means a lot to us, because it is given to only deserving persons; and your antecedents and your track records have spoken for you and we are proud of you.”

The award was subsequently presented by the current national President of the Association, Eshiofune Paul Oghayan.
While handing him the plaque of excellence, he disclosed that the award was in recognition of Prof. Oloyede’s immense contributions to the development of polytechnics and technical Education in Nigeria. He added that it was the Registrar’s single-minded commitment to transforming JAMB coupled with his unrelenting efforts to end corruption in the nation’s tertiary education sector that had won him the Award.

Furthermore, the NAPS President said, “The first time I came here was when I was the Vice President and we came in anger to resolve some issues, but when you spoke, you doused our anger, saying, “You people are not aware of what is going on and today, I will tell you and you will know that this is not the place to come for solutions to your problem.” Despite getting you angry, you did not harass us but address us as your children.”

“Sir, we will continue to work with you and support your leadership because your policy has positively impacted technical education and we want you to know that the entire membership of our association is solidly behind you. Once again, thank you for receiving us.”

Responding, Prof. Oloyede expressed appreciation to the leadership of the students union for the award, saying, “As stakeholders, it is our duty to attend to you, but unknown to us, you had also come to apologise as well as present me with an award.”

He admonished the students to focus on their studies as well as stay committed to the path of national development through Imbibing sound technical education.

“I urge you to take education seriously, particularly technical education, which is the only path to the economic and technological emancipation of this nation. On our part, we will continue to promote the well-being of this country. As technologically-inclined professionals, if there is any area of development you want us to look into, don’t hesitate to call our attention to it; we will continue to support you.”

In the entourage of the NAPS President were the Senate President, Danjuma Bulus Akolo; the Treasurer, Confidence Godwin; Chairman, Stakeholders, Sunday A. A.; Speaker, Bello Badrudeen; South-South Zonal Coordinator, Ebhohimhen O. John; and the Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties, Ndukwe Wisdom Obinna.