The sixth substantive Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Dr. Dayo Oladebeye has revealed that his only regret having served for five years was the inability to achieve a one hundred percent success in his personal dream and target for the Polytechnic.
Oladebeye, who spoke with newsmen in his office barely twenty four hours to bow out said though he was able to achieve remarkable successes, he is not satisfied and that remains a very big pain for him.
Oladebeye, who is the first alumnus of the Institution noted that past leaders had the opportunity of second term but the new single term policy of five years started during his time in which almost two years of the tenure was seriously affected by the outbreak of Covid-19.
He said: “The Lord has helped me to record great feats but I am not satisfied because I love yo aim 100%, even when I was in school, I always work hard to get 100%.
“In my school days, there were times that I scored hundred percent and anytime I score 80/90%, I am still not happy because my aim is to be 100% everytime.
“When I came on board, I made every effort to improve welfare of workers and ensure the conversion of some who have been on same level of er the years.
“The road network was bad when I got into this institution and before convocation of August 2019, I met with the council and we made a resolve to tar the road. The past records have been writing letters to agencies like the Federal Ministry of Works. I applied during my tenure and 496million was allocated and that was how the road came into being.
“If not for the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission which is yet to issue licence, we would have started our own FM, Radio, Channel 103.5.
“When people come to thank me here and there, I begin to wonder what I have done, it is something that is innate, it is very natural for me to help people and I learned that from my parents. And if I cannot help you, I will not contribute to your downfall, this has been my slogan.
“That’s what you should expect from an alumnus coming back to head their institution, they would not leave it worse than they have met it, so it has always been my heart desire to leave my Alma mater better than I met it.The willingness to leave a mark has driven us thus far
“I attribute my success as a rector to God and my subordinate who are always ready to work and share in my vision.
“Talking about scarcity of funds, we went out to plead for help and to straighten records where we have been painted black. We gave the assurance to build on the existing structure and we got the required help needed.
“Five years was not enough to achieve my vision as a result of COVID-19 and lack of funding from Federal Government. I have not been able to secure 100% even with the 80% or 90% achievement, I’m still not satisfied.”
Dr. Oladebeye expressed confidence in the ability of his successor, Dr. Alake to do well more also that he is also an alumnus with whom they graduated the same time.