Spotlight on engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed’s two-year stewardship as rector of Kwara State Polytchnic, Ilorin.

Preamble:
Before he officially assumed duty on 4^th November,2019, two main programmes; the 26^th convocation ceremony of the institution and the institution's hosting of the Nigeria Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA) were fast approaching their schedule. The former event, the convocation ceremony was to hold barely a week after the new Rector assumed duty. The latter event, the NIPOGA was scheduled for between 8^th -14^th December, 2019. Realizing the importance of these two events, the new Rector set other official assignments aside and fully faced the two unique event ahead of the institution.

First, he brought all his energies and administrative skills to bear upon the task of ensuring the success of the convocation ceremony. This, he eventually achieved.

In the face of the obviously inadequate preparations for hosting the NIPOGA which he identified then, Dr Abdul Jimoh Muhammed pleaded for a postponement of the sports fiesta to 5^th – 15^th February, 2020 to enable proper and full preparations for the events to meet international standards. The NIPOGA eventually came up as scheduled. Not only were the programmes colourful, peaceful and hugely successful, Kwara State Polytechnic, won the final football watch competition. The presence of the state Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq ably represented by his deputy Mr. Kayode Alabi added to the finals of the football competition and the closing ceremonies.

STUDENTS WELFARE

• Provision of Furniture
• It is worthy to note that immediately after the NIPOGA, the Rector conducted an accessibility tour of all the Institutes, Centers, Departments and Units of the Polytechnic. The findings from the tour prompted the provision of 255 units of four -seater chairs for some lecture rooms in both the Main and Mini Campuses from funds saved through prudent management of NIPOGA budget.

(ii)     Rehalibitation of 4 Machines

During the Rector’s first year in office, four machines were revived for students’ practicals in Engineering Departments. These are:

1. Power Guillotine which has been down for almost seven years back.
2. Rolling Machine which has not been in use for a decade.
3. 1000KVA Generator which has been abandoned since 2016.
4. Washer Machine which has been neglected since 2010.

(iii)     Establishment of CBT Centre

The Computer Based Test (CBT) Centre is established to conduct Computer Based Test/examinations for a class off more than 150 students and promotion exams for staff. This will minimize students’ post examination contact with lecturers on one hand and ease the burden associated with manual script grading/marking of pen-paper examinations. The CBT Centre also serves as JAMB examination Centre to enhance Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

(iv)     Collaboration with Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO)

In an effort to enhance a fruitful marriage of practical and theoretical education among both the staff and students of the Polytechnic, Dr, Abdul initiated and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with FIIRO to:-

(a)     Establish, develop and operate high integrated technologies;

(b)     Undertake joint research projects of mutual interest to both parties;

(c)     Engage in staff capacity building and exchange programme via introduction of Teachers Industrial Work Experience Scheme TIWES

(d)     Engage in students’ capacity building especially custom-built industrial Attachment programme and provide an opportunity for industrial co-supervision of students’ projects;

(e)     Engage in staff techno-preneurship development including training-of-trainers and pre-retirement training for staff;

 (f)     Joint patenting and commercialization of patented and non-patented breakthroughs; etc.

(v)     Conduct of SUG Election without Interference

An heritage bequeathed by the immediate past Rector, Alhaji Mas’ud Elelu was to allow students elect their leaders without management interference. The process is via electronic voting where all registered students are allowed to take part in the election. The present administration also followed suit and maintained the culture of allowing students to choose their leaders without any form of interference.

(vi)     Hostel Renovation

In his effort to improve the condition of students’ accommodation and living standards in the school, the administration of Engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed has renovated all the abandoned Polytechnic hostels and will allocate them to students in the 2021/2022 academic session. The Rector also got the nod of the State Government under the leadership of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasak, to complete the students’ hostel that has been abandoned for over twenty years. This is possible after fulfilling the conditions set by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

3. 
   STAFF WELFARE

It is pertinent to note that the strength of any organization is its workers. If there is motivation for the workers, their output will be of high quality. On this note, the administration of Engr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed makes it a cardinal policy to always put smiles on the faces of Polytechnic staff.

The following are some of the welfare packages for the staff:-

(i)     Provision of offices with furniture: A number of staff did not have chairs and tables in their offices before the assumption of this administration. Four or five staff were accommodated in offices that could not ideally accommodate more than two Staff. Dr. Abdul quickly provided offices with furniture for the affected staff to enhance, their comfort and efficiency.

(ii)     Renovation of Staff Quarters: During the period under review eleven (11) staff quarters were completely renovated and arrangements are in top gear to carry out comprehensive renovation of all the quarters through Private Public Partnership (PPP) or use of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

(iii)     Water Supply: It is also apposite here to mention that many offices and laboratories in the Polytechnic lacked water supply before the assumption of office of the present administration. It gladdens the hearts of staff now that the problem of water supply to offices is gradually becoming history.

(iv)     Installation of Solar Light: This project delighted most affected staff, especially the Medical Personnel who use light for laboratory work. As such, 5units of A160W hybrid lamp head (Solar Panel Street Lighting) were provided to illuminate the Medical Centre at night. Another 10K hybrid Inverter was provided to power essential laboratory equipment and all the Clinic offices 24/7. In addition, all the testing machines that have been down were repaired to serve the staff, students and members of neighbouring communities.
It is also worthy of note that arrangements are in the pipeline to establish a Solar Farm that will cater for the whole Polytechnic due to unreliable nature of IBEDC power.

(v)     Establishment of Intellectual Property Protection Unit (PPU): This idea was muted barely 6 months after the Rector’s assumption of duty to discourage plagiarism, protect intellectual property and discourage project recycling.

(vi)     Staff Promotions: In order to boost the morale of the staff and make them more effective and efficient, Dr. Abdul Jimoh mohammed concluded the 2017, 2018 and 2019 promotion exercises. The 2020 promotion is almost completed. The Rector being a man of his words has promised that the 2021 promotion exercise would commence immediately after 2020 promotion is concluded and 2022 promotion will be done before the end of 2022, thereby clearing all areas of promotion.

4. 
   IMPROVEMENT ON INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE (IGR)

The Administration of Engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed is committed to improving the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through introduction of a scheme tagged “One Department one patentable and Commercialized Product”. For instance, Department of Mechanical Engineering came up with pedal operated Hand Washing Machine which aims at preventing the spread of Covid-19. The project generates revenue for the Polytechnic and at the same time projects the institution’s image positively.

(I)     The Bottled Water Project:- The administration of Engr. Abdul Jimoh Muhammed established a bottled water factory to enhance Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The brand new bottled water project has the capacity of producing 2000 bottle water in one hour. Installation and testing exercise have been completed successfully. The product of the project is awaiting NAFDAC number before commencing mass production. The moribund sachet water factory has also been revived.

(ii)     The Polytechnic Bakery/ Block Industry:- The Polytechnic Bakery has recently commenced operation on commercial basis while the reactivation of the Polytechnic Block making project had gone beyond 85% completion. The Rector and his team are working assiduously towards ensuring effective management of the facilities so that the purpose for which they are being established would be fully realized in the interest of this great Institution.

(iii)     Kwarapoly Microfinance Bank:- In realization of its enormous benefits to staff and the Polytechnic community; the Management is committed to the proposed Kwarapoly Microfinance Bank project. All necessary steps have been taken towards the take-off of the project. The Polytechnic has opened an account with Keystone (the parent bank for the MFB) and at present, application for registration is under consideration at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

(iv)     Blocking of Leakages: - After the first 4 months of working round the clock for the Convocation and hostng all Polytechnics and Monotechnics in the Country via NIPOGA, the administration of Engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed blocked all the leakages from School fees collection, payment for certificates and transcripts, and wage bill.

5. 
   INFRASTRUCTURE

(i)     Construction of Network Operation Centre: -At this digital age, it is shocking to discover that there is no internet connectivity in the Campus. with this project, students and staff now have access to internet services for teaching and research activities. This project saves both staff and students the cost of buying data.

(ii)     Construction of Horticultural Garden:- This is aimed at controlling erosion through landscaping of the whole environment and beautification of the campus.

(iii)     Construction of Institute of Environmental Studies Village:- This TETFUND project was initiated at the instance of dilapidated structure of the Institute which has been in existence for over 4 decades.

(iv)     Filling of potholes: - The Management under the leadership of Engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed embarked on fixing the potholes on the campus road network. This will enhance smooth ride on campus.

(v)     Construction of Relaxation Centre: - In compliance with the Rector's leadership style of prudent resource management, the SUG embarked on construction of a relaxation centre for students.

(vi)     Construction and Renovation of Toilets: - Institute of Environmental Studies has 2 staff toilets while Institute of Finance and Management Studies (IFMS) has 6 staff toilets that were no longer in use due to lack of maintenance and water supply. However, when the present administration came on board, the toilet facilities were spread all over the Polytechnic.

(vii)     Acquisition of Radio License: - Following the issuance of Kwara Poly Radio frequency License from National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), this present Administration requested for the cost implication for the procurement of the transmitter and Dipol Antena and Construction of Mast, all of which were procured to enable the station commence operation soon.

All these and many more to come are some of the motivational mechanism that brings the best out of the staff and make the students proud of the Polytechnic.

The Kwara State Government, under the leadership of Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrasak has also created an enabling environment for the growth of the Polytechnic.

Ongoing and Completed projects