A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, will deliver the graduation lecture with the theme: “Emerging Technological Advancement, National Development and Growth in the 21st Century: Repositioning Nigerian Polytechnics,” at the 39th Convocation ceremony of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

This comes as the management of the institution is assured of adequate security during and after the convocation ceremony, which is scheduled to kick off with a Jumat service at the institution’s Central Mosque on Friday.

The Acting Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Taiwo Lasisi, while rolling out the programme of the event at a press conference on Thursday, said the lecture is aimed at underscoring the relevance of polytechnics to national growth and development.

Lasisi submitted that the institution has always been at the forefront of technological advancement in the country, hence the choice of the topic for the graduation lecture.

On the uniqueness of the ceremony, the Acting Rector disclosed that the certificates of all the graduands have been signed and are ready for collection.

On the security arrangement, Lasisi maintained that the institution has zero tolerance for violence, hence the involvement of security operatives in the programme.

Expected to be in attendance, as disclosed by the Acting Rector, are: the Visitor to the institution and the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Iba of Kisi, Oba Aweda Lawal; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade; former governors; captains of industry; technocrats; and a host of others.