The Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta Muslim Alumni (MAPAMA) has expressed serious concern over the impasse in the institution, which has resulted in over one month shutdown of academic and non-academic activities in the school.
In a statement by the group’s Media and Publicity Committee, MAPAMA said that it is deeply concerned about what has become of a once flourishing institution of lelearning.
According to the statement, signed by Sulaiman Fasasi, of great concern to MAPAMA is that an institution, which berted four other Information and Communication Technology polytechnics in the state, is now being enmeshed in crises which seem to have defied every solution in the last five years.
MAPAMA said that the current logjam should be allowed to fester farther, as it represents a sad and gloomy phase in the history of MAPOLY.
It said that is not unaware of the agitations of the institution’s workforce, which is mainly the inability of the management to meet up with its financial obligations, especially, payment of salaries for four months. This is apart from the non-remittance of due pensions to the retired staff, as well as suspension of staff promotion and appointment for about five and six years respectively.
The body said it expected all those who feel concern about the progress of the school to find means of addressing these ugly narrative considering the current serious economic hardship in the country.
Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), a once self-financing and solvent institution, has continued to be run like a private institution with Internally Generated Revenue, which was the source of its strength, is now battling to survive due to the drastic cut in its admission quotas by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
“Whatever might have prompted JAMB to reduce the admission quota of MAPOLY should be a great concern to all stakeholders and urgent steps need to be taken to address this disturbing and worrisome trend,” MAPAMA counselled.
It said it recognises the efforts of the current administration to rescue the institution from the crisis occasioned by the proposed conversion of the Polytechnic to a University of Science and Technology in 2017, but added that those moves must be comprehensive, inclusive and seamless for those making the moves to be appreciated as true partners in progress.
The group said: “While it is not the intention of the MAPAMA to apportion blame, the governor, as the Visitor to the school, needs to take special interest on the happenings at MAPOLY, especially by taking a bold and pragmatic step in pulling the institution out of the current rumpus and return it to its former strong, viable and sustainable path.
“It is therefore the position of MAPAMA, that calling of a stakeholders forum which should and must discuss the future of MAPOLY should be considered by both the management and the state government.
“The forum should also consider MAPOLY yesterday, today and tomorrow, and should not only include internal stakeholders of the Institution, but also the outside, including the corporate organisations, public spirited individuals, alumni bodies, leaders of thoughts, traditional and religious leaders among others to chart a new and prosperous way for the vintage institution”.
