
The Proprietor and Proprietress of Newland Polytechnic, Ilorin, Engr. (Dr.) Rotimi Afolabi and Mrs. Folake Afolabi,
Chairman and Members of the Governing Council of Newland Polytechnic, Ilorin,
Distinguished Guest Speaker, Engr. Adeyemi Alao, joining in from Canada,
Special Guests from NBTE, JAMB and Ministry of Tertiary Institution,
Visiting Rectors and Principal Officers from other Polytechnics and Tertiary Institutions,
Principal Officers and Staff of Newland Polytechnic, Ilorin,
Parents, Guardians and Friends of Matriculating Students,
Esteemed Students Newland Polytechnic, Ilorin,
Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen
It is with, great appreciation to Almighty God that I welcome you ALL to the First Matriculation ceremony of the Newland Polytechnic, Ilorin. In this Maiden Matriculation ceremony we are formally matriculating 88 students into the Department of Accountancy, Business Administration and Management, Computer Science, Computer Engineering Technology, Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology and Statistics for awards of National Diploma (ND). Newland Polytechnic, Ilorin is a new generation Private Polytechnic with state of the art equipment and conducive environment for teaching, learning and research.
Permit me to formally congratulate the first set of students of this Technological Innovative Polytechnic. Today’s event is important because it marks the official acceptance of the matriculating students into Newland Polytechnic’s academic program and in line with the approval of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). This therefore marks the beginning of a new chapter in your lives, and I must say, it is going to be memorable and filled with lifelong, knowledge, skills, friendships, connections and laughter.
It is with great happiness that I officially welcome all the new students into the Polytechnic. It is my prayer and believes that Almighty God will use this Polytechnic; to nurture your growth and development in all facets of life. I also congratulate your parents for the central roles they have played in your lives. It is my prayer that their labour will not be in vain. Let me remind you that a new undertaking such as embarking upon tertiary education comes with a certain level of uncertainty and anxiety, both mixed with excitement. Do not let anxiety outweigh your excitement, it gets better from here.
As the theme of this Matriculation Ceremony, “Academic Excellence: Preparedness for Today and Awareness for Future Opportunity”. At Newland Polytechnic, we take pride in training students in academic work and character development. It is our belief that when they graduate from here, they will contribute meaningfully to developmental discourses across the globe. We aimed at producing graduates that will be well armed with technical skills and knowledge to enable them create jobs rather than to be job seekers or by being gainfully employed thereby utilizing their skills, abilities and competencies for the development of this country and the world at large. At Newland Polytechnic, we believed our students are the centre of all our activities and are trained to be entrepreneurial in their approach to learning, learning more towards self-employment and actualisation.
Finally, Newland Polytechnic aimed at raising godly graduates who will dominate in their various fields of endeavour. I therefore, counsel that you follow the footsteps of good people. Embrace self-discipline, self-care, a good mode of dressing faithfulness to your studies and general comportment within and outside the campus. I advise you to be law abiding, shun cultism, face your studies squarely, live harmoniously with other students and staff and obey the rules and regulations of the polytechnic. Remember to always be good ambassadors of Newland Polytechnic.
Once again, I thank you all for your presence here today and pray that the good Lord will take you back safely to your various destinations.
Thank you.
God bless you all.