Until we begin to buy what we produce – Rector charges Nigerians

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, Dr. Mukail Aremu Akinde fca, has charged Nigerians to begin to buy Made in Nigeria goods.

Dr Akinde proffered that boosting the nation’s manufacturing sector will definitely push the country faster toward attaining its rightful position among the comity of nations, adding that the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro in particular, has manufactured many developmental machines that are capable of turning around the economic situation of Nigeria.

He threw the challenge on Thursday, 13th February, 2025 during a Media Chat organized for the Institution’s 45th Founder’s Day and 22th Convocation Ceremony.

Among the machines he enumerated were Mechanical Ventilator, Palm Kernel Oil Machine, Juice Extractor, Product Stone Crushing Machine, Solar and Electric Powered Bike.

He lamented the fact that Nigerians prefer imported goods leaving behind Made in Nigeria products.

Dr Akinde said that until Nigerians begin to buy their locally manufactured goods, the nation’s economy may not give the desired result.

He said locally made goods may not be as packaged as imported ones but it will certainly improve overtime.

‘We, at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, have liased with some Nigeria manufacturers for mass production of some of our machines but our efforts have not yielded expected results’.

While calling on stakeholders to give needed support to Polytechnics inventions in term of supporting the mass production of the machines, he equally urged the Federal Government to increase its funding for polytechnic education.

“Give us electricity; we can do a lot of things. Our engineering department is working. We have a lot of projects ongoing, the Rector begged.

The rector commended the efforts of President Bola Tinubu in activating polytechnic education via the upbuilding activities of NELFUND and other agencies of government.

He stressed the urgent need for federal government to approve of Polytechnics to award degrees certificate in order that the issue of qualification dichotomy may be put to rest.

Earlier, Dr Mukail Akinde performed the maiden edition of “Unveiling the Convocation’s Mascot” in the presence of the Council Board and the entire Management.

atotoDaily recalls that the School established in 1979 with Seven (7) Schools, now with about 18,000 students, 48 Schools and 97 Programs, has chosen one of the trending and topical issues as the theme of the Convocation Lecture, “Renewed Hope Agenda, Brain Drain and Japa Syndrome: The Way Forward“, to be delivered by the guest lecturer, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.

The highlight of the weeklong event, according to the rector, Dr Mikail Akinde, is the School’s Honorary Fellowship Award which will be conferred on three notable Nigerians; two which are alumni; Mr Abiodun Akanbi Durosinmi FCA, Mr Alaba Jacob Afolabi CIA and Mr Festus Egwarewa Adeniyi Keyamo SAN (Hon Minster of Aviation and Aerospace Development).