….Awards Outstanding Lecturers and Students at Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti
A former academic staff member of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Engr. Felix Olufemi Ayodele, has challenged young Nigerian engineers to look beyond academic certificates and acquire practical skills capable of advancing the country’s technological development.
Ayodele gave the charge during the presentation of prizes and awards to outstanding lecturers and students of the institution’s Department of Civil Engineering at its main campus, urging them to remain patient, dedicated and committed to the rigorous process of professional growth and excellence.
He explained that the initiative was motivated by his desire to give back to humanity, his alma mater and the society that contributed to shaping his professional career.
The structural engineer urged students to prioritise practical competence and innovative thinking to prepare themselves for emerging technological challenges, noting that academic qualifications alone were insufficient to drive national development without the requisite technical expertise.
Citing countries such as China, Japan and Singapore as examples, Ayodele observed that their technological advancement was largely driven by sustained investment in practical skills, innovation and the effective application of knowledge.
He argued that the difference was not necessarily in the intellectual capacity of Nigerian engineers compared with their counterparts in developed countries, but in the ingenuity, professionalism and practical expertise they brought to bear on their assignments.
Ayodele also expressed concern over the recurring incidents of building and structural collapse across the country, attributing the disturbing trend, in part, to lapses in professionalism and inadequate supervision of construction projects.
He stressed the need for structural engineers to discharge their responsibilities diligently, particularly in monitoring construction processes and ensuring that approved, high-quality materials were used to guarantee structural integrity and protect human lives.
According to him, strict adherence to professional standards and construction regulations remains essential to preventing avoidable disasters and restoring public confidence in the country’s construction industry.
The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Temitope Alake, who was represented at the event, commended Ayodele for investing in the academic and professional development of younger generations.
He described the initiative as a welcome departure from conventional practices, noting that such gestures could inspire students to pursue excellence while reinforcing the values of hard work, discipline and perseverance.
The Rector maintained that Nigeria must embrace the right approach to development, stressing that there were no shortcuts to achieving sustainable national progress.
He said, “A country does not become great because it has natural resources. Nigeria, with its petroleum and other natural resources, is still poor compared with countries like Japan, China and Singapore. We must use our brains.
“Education is not a scam, but something important, and that is why we talk about a knowledge economy. This is the way for us to go.”
Other speakers at the event also applauded Ayodele for remembering his alma mater and supporting the academic advancement of lecturers and students decades after leaving the institution.
As part of the initiative, Ayodele presented awards and cash prizes to deserving recipients across four categories in recognition of their contributions and outstanding performances.
The recipients were Dr. Ige Samuel Ayeni, a structural engineer, who emerged as Lecturer of the Year and received ₦500,000; Oladiran Olawale, who won Best HND Student in Structures and Related Courses with ₦100,000; Anonyo Ozioma Friday, who received the award for Best ND Student in Workshop Technology with ₦50,000; and Kehinde Raymond, who received ₦50,000 for Outstanding Academic Performance.
Speaking in an interview, one of the award recipients, Dr. (Engr.) Ayeni, reinforced the need for young engineers to develop practical skills and technical expertise, emphasising that certificates alone could not provide the solutions required to move Nigeria forward.
He encouraged aspiring engineers to pursue continuous learning and practical competence as essential ingredients for professional excellence and national development.
The event was attended by academic and non-academic staff members, students of the Polytechnic and other guests from within and outside the institution’s community.