Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has announced a cash reward of N2 million each to three best-graduating students of Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, recognizing their exceptional academic achievements.
The announcement was made during the 5th combined convocation ceremony of the polytechnic, held on Wednesday at the institution’s auditorium.
The event celebrated graduates across the 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024 academic sessions.
The three awardees, who emerged as overall best-graduating students in their respective sessions, are Theresa Agu (2021/2022 session), Victor Omontuhen (2022/2023 session), and Suliyat Yusuf (2023/2024 session).
Yusuf, who recorded an outstanding 3.91 Cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.00 scale, also spoke on behalf of the graduating students.
Governor Abiodun, represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to educational development, disclosing that N200 million had been approved for the state education trust fund to support tertiary institutions.
“Our administration approved N200 million for the state education trust fund to support our state-owned tertiary institutions.
These efforts underscore our commitment to fostering an education system where students can excel in a rapidly changing world,” he said.
The governor paid tribute to the late Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Adewunmi Onanuga, who was posthumously conferred with a fellowship of the polytechnic.
“It is a bitter-sweet mix that my dear sister, Adewunmi Onanuga, passed away last week.
“This fellowship is an acknowledgment of the impact she made in her constituency, and we know that her good works will live after her,” Salako-Oyedele said.
Addressing the graduates, she urged them to leverage their knowledge and skills to become innovators and problem-solvers.
In his convocation address, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Sanni Oseni, celebrated the institution’s academic milestones, revealing that 248 graduates achieved distinctions across the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programs.
“Today, we are proud to inform you that in this combined 5th convocation ceremony, 80 students achieved distinctions at the ND level and 168 distinctions at the HND level for the three sessions,” Oseni said.
He challenged the graduates to be torchbearers of innovation, resilience, and excellence as they step into the next phase of their lives.
In her valedictory speech, Yusuf encouraged her peers to embrace the challenges ahead with positivity, integrity, and a drive for excellence.
“Let us strive for excellence in all our endeavors, guided by the principles of integrity, honor, and compassion. This is not the end of our journey but the beginning of a new and exciting phase,” she said.
The ceremony also featured the foundation laying of the institution’s School of Agriculture complex, a move expected to further bolster the polytechnic’s contributions to Nigeria’s agricultural development.
The event was attended by dignitaries, staff, students, and families, marking a momentous occasion in the polytechnic’s history.
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