Ambode: We will deploy drone made by LASPOTECH students for security surveillance

Lagos state government would deploy the drone made by the staff and students of Lagos state polytechnic (LASPOTECH), to effectively carry out aerial security surveillance across the state.

This was disclosed by Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of the state, on Thursday, at the 25th convocation ceremony of the institution held at the main campus in Ikorodu.

A total of 9228 students graduated from 32 departments, of which 273 came out with distinctions.

The governor commended the staff and students for being innovative, added that his government would do everything within its power to promote and fund the drone project to encourage them for the achievement.

Ambode also approved the construction of new main auditorium, administrative block, renovation of the sports complex and general face-lift to the facilities within the campus environment including equipping and furnishing of the newly built school of technology building.

Ambode noted that in the 40 years of the institution’s existence, LASPOTECH, had occupied a pride of place among state-owned polytechnics in Nigeria.

He however urged that conscious efforts must be made to build on the successes achieved especially by becoming a true centre for excellence in technological education and research.

Ambode stated that for an emerging mega city like Lagos to compete favourably with other mega cities in the world, tertiary institutions and services in the state must be of acceptable global standards and be agents of development.

“Lagos state polytechnic must rise to the challenge of meeting the technical manpower requirement of both the public and private sectors in not just Lagos State but in the whole nation,” Ambode said.

“We must rise above just providing education for the sake of acquiring a certificate to providing knowledge which will empower our youth to become champions of their generation, to chart their own course and establish enterprises that will create jobs and generate wealth for all.

“Education is high on the priority list of this administration, and a significant portion of the State budget every year is allocated to education.”

Ambode highlighted the interventions of the state in the university, including construction of the school of technology complex and approval for the recruitment of additional 89 academic staff as recommended by the governing board, as well as the extension of the light up Lagos project initiative to LASPOTECH.

Samuel Sogunro, LASPOTECH rector, had earlier commended Ambode for being the first governor to participate in the convocation ceremony of the institution in the last 27 years.

Sogunro said despite the economic realities in the country, Ambode approved an increment in the monthly subvention to the institution from N153.731million to N210million.

He said the governor also approved allocation of N750million for the proposed accreditation exercise billed to take place in the institution, among many other interventions.

Ambode urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the polytechnic and the state, as they remain the pivot upon which the hope of the nation revolves.

Ambode offered Ejire Adedolapo Abdulazeez, the overall best graduating student, of the school of Pure and Applied Science, instant employment with the state government.