Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has urged the graduates to learn to be self employed and to tackle challenges of life.

The governor, now candidate for re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, spoke today at the graduation ceremony for 4,977 students of the Polytechnic, Ibadan.The students ended their programmes in the 2013/2014 session.

The governor advised them to be innovative and exceptional in whatever areas of life they find themselves.

“I stand before you today addressing you simply because I am educated. Without education, I doubt whether I would have that opportunity.

“Not that I was born with silver spoon, my father was a tailor before he became a parliamentarian. Then, I used to trek from Oja-Oba to Aperin, eating fried plantain.

“Today, that school boy is the governor addressing you. I believe in hard work and doing something exceptionally,’’ he said.

Ajimobi said that his administration would continue to be supportive, urging the management of the institution to always facilitate regular meetings with government to provide solutions to their challenges.

Out of the students, 3,675 graduated with National Diploma(ND) while 1,302 graduated with Higher National Diploma(HND).

Mr Olatunde Fawole, the rector of the institution, in his address, sought the governor’s assistance in the area of accreditation of some programmes,

He solicited government’s assistance in staffing, rehabilitation of the institution’s hostel and general physical infrastructure as well as in the provision of a conducive learning environment.

“We are assuring you, sir, that we shall continue to put in our best to ensure that our graduands are competitive in the labour market to justify the huge investment of the state government on the institution,’’ he said.