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Tag: Federal Polytechnic Auchi

  • Auchi Poly will not compromise standard of education – Rector

    Dr Sanusi Jimah, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi in Edo, has assured that the management will not compromise the institution’s reputed high education standard.

    Jimah said this in an interview with our correspondent on Friday in Benin.

    “As you may be aware, Auchi Polytechnic is among the very few institutions where management considers quality education and high moral values as necessary prerequisite for both staff and students to remain on campus.

    “And that is why since assumption of office, the policy of cleansing the institution is still on,’’ he said.

    According to him, these basic qualities impacted by us have helped to shape the lives and careers of products of the institution, who continue to excel in their different fields of endeavour.

    “Only a few days ago, 1993 graduates from Department of Mass Communication, were here just to say thank you to their former lecturers and management for impacting these basic qualities in them.

    “The former students, many of them now management staff in their different media establishments, recalled the discipline and rigorous teaching and learning methodologies employed then, which today many want to circumvent.

    “But we will not allow the shortcut syndrome anymore. And that is why we are saying there is no hiding place for those not ready to embrace the new order of positive change.

    “ And to demonstrate our resolve in this direction, five members of staff are presently facing disciplinary process for extortion.

    “One staff was redeployed for unethical practices regarding students’ project, four staff had to be compelled to refund money collected from students.’’

    On examination malpractice, the polytechnic in the 2016/2017 session sanctioned 92 students, adding that out  and of the figure, 18 were expelled, 62 rusticated, while eight had carried over courses..

    “Students who present forged or fake credentials to gain admission will not be comfortable here. All the credentials presented during the registration process will be verified.

    “If the credentials are found to be faked, the penalty is expulsion from the Polytechnic,’’ he said.

    The rector said that the present management strongly believed in continuous reviews and updates of the school’s curriculum to meet present national and global challenges.

    “That was why majority of the programmes being run in the institution, due for accreditation were presented to the National Board for Technical Education ( NBTE ) in November were recently accredited by the regulatory body.

    “This thinking is to enrich the curriculum and re-orientate students to be self-employed and create jobs on graduation. Entrepreneurial courses have been introduced in all programmes offered in the institution.’’

    According to him, parents and students should therefore be confident that whatever programme they are reading enjoys accreditation of NBTE.

    “Management is also working to ensure that the block of six class rooms in the School of Art and Design will be completed and put to use in the next two months.

    “Also, landscaping of the School of Engineering is in progress, and expected to be completed in another two months.

    “Within the same period, the School of Environmental Studies is expected to move fully into its new offices,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Auchi Poly confirms sack of former Deputy Rector for misconduct

    Auchi Poly confirms sack of former Deputy Rector for misconduct

    The Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, in Edo, has dismissed a former Deputy Rector, Mr Femi Balogun, with several other senior members of staff undergoing various management sanctions.

    Investigation showed that Balogun’s dismissal followed council’s review of several allegations of gross misconduct against him, for which he was subsequently found culpable.

    Balogun’s residence at the senior staff quarters is devoid of any human activity as he may have vacated the premises, in compliance with council’s directive for him to handover, with immediate effect, all polytechnic property in his possession to the institution’s management.

    Former registrar of the institution, Mrs Margaret Ashepelokhai, is also undergoing a three-month suspension for gross misconduct, while a former Dean of Applied Sciences, Mr Abdulkareem Adamu Obomekhe’s job is also being threatened.

    Obomekhe is currently serving a three-month suspension and may face outright dismissal, subject to the governing council’s ratification.

    He has also since handed over to Mr Kadiri, as Dean of Applied Sciences, as directed by management.

    Further investigations revealed that no fewer than 10 academic staff were being tried by the institution’s senior staff disciplinary committee (SSDC) for various administrative infractions ranging from blocking to sexual harassment.

    A management staff, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the story, saying “ it is true that the former registrar is now undergoing a three-month suspension after she was previously sent on a compulsory three-month leave.

    “For Obomekhe, several administrative panels found him culpable of the allegations against him.

    “He was found to have absconded from his duty post at the Kaduna Polytechnic, where he was being tried for a sexual harassment-related case and got employed here in 1999.

    “He was found to have simultaneously received three months salary from his former school and also here at the Auchi polytechnic, sometime in 1999.

    “He is presently on suspension, while management awaits council’s ratification of further recommendations,” the staff said

    Auchi Polytechnic Public Relations Officer, Mr Mustapher Oshiobugie, who confirmed the development.

    He said “yes, I am aware that the governing council of the institution has sanctioned some members of staff for alleged misconduct’’.

    The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Mr Justin Momodu, while also confirming the sanction, said that the union was on the same page with management in its desire to rid the institution of undesirable elements.

    “We are on the same page with management on its anti-corruption and cleansing agenda. The union would not condone any form of indiscipline among its members.

    “But we will also pursue and defend with our collective might, any perceived case of intimidation by management on any member.

    “The cases of the dismissed former ASUP chairman and union members are good examples.

    The union did not relent until they were recently recalled and their entitlements paid to them.

    “On this, the union is with management on its cleansing exercise. We are also watching carefully to ensure that due processes is followed,”  he said.

    NAN

  • Auchi poly to sanction lecturers trading marks for money, sex

    Auchi poly to sanction lecturers trading marks for money, sex

    The Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Edo on Monday warned that it would henceforth sanction lecturers in the habit of awarding marks to students for money or sex.

    Dr Sanusi Jimah, the Acting Rector of the institution made the commitment when he received executive members of the polytechnic’s Alumni Association.

    “The management of Auchi poly will deal with corrupt lecturers who are fond of extorting money from students in order to award marks.

    “The management is keeping an eye on corrupt lecturers in the school and anyone caught would not be allowed to mark their scripts for the ongoing examination, if any case is registered against them,’’ Jimah said.

    The rector said that corruption would no longer be tolerated and vowed to fish out those who trade marks for sex and money which painted the institution in bad light.

    Earlier, National President of the association, Mr Victor Okhaimo pledged continued collaboration with the institution in the area of infrastructure and human capital development.

    He said that the association have confidence in the new rector to reposition the institution to greater height.

    Okhaimo commended the rector for restoring peace in the institution, and assured that the association would continue to play its role as mediator between the union and management in times of crisis.

  • Auchi Poly matriculates 7,066 students

    Auchi Poly matriculates 7,066 students

    Dr. Sanusi Jimah, Acting Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo, on Friday warned lecturers against extortion of money from students of the institution.

    Jimah gave the warning at 35th matriculation ceremony of the 2016/2017 students of the institution, saying that any lecturer caught in the act would be sanctioned appropriately.

    Jimah said that the warning became imperative following complaints by students over extortion of money by some lecturers of the institution.

    He frowned at the development, warning that management would not tolerate such sharp practice.

    “No extortion of money under any guise will be tolerated under my watch; the person that gives and the person that collects are culpable and will be sanctioned.

    “I advise that that you (students) report anyone soliciting for money or any untoward favour to the appropriate quarters for action,” he said.

    Jimah said that a total of 7,066 students were admitted into the institution, out of which 2,493 would pursue National Diploma (ND) and 4,573 Higher National Diploma (HND) courses.

    He warned newly admitted students in the institution to shun cultism, violence, examination malpractice and others vices, adding that the polytechnic would not hesitate to expel any student found wanting.

    He also admonished the students to imbibe dialogue, peaceful co-existence, discipline and hard work, to excel in their studies.

    The rector assured the students that staff and management of the institution would provide the enabling environment for them to excel.

    “The polytechnic is determined to make the learning environment conducive for you so that you can optimize your time for learning.

    “There is the need to emphasize that education is now going the way of e-learning. The polytechnic has four e-learning centres donated by Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

    “Students are encouraged to take computer literacy seriously, and to make optimum use of computer facilities on campus,” he said.

  • Auchi Poly unions suspend indefinite strike

    Auchi Poly unions suspend indefinite strike

    Labour unions at the Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Edo, on Monday announced the suspension of their indefinite strike embarked upon since Feb. 6.

    The unions — the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NASUP), directed their members to return to work.

    The unions conveyed the suspension of the strike in a communiqué jointly signed by their General Secretaries — Abdul-ganiyu Braimah (ASUP), Omonekhai Shaka (SSANIP) and Solomon Aliabakhalumhe (NASU).

    The communique was signed after a Joint Action Congress (JAC) meeting.

    It said the decision was sequel to deliberations and resolutions reached at the inaugural meeting between the new management, led by Dr Sanusi Jimah and the executive members of the unions.

    “We hereby suspend the strike, and workers are directed to resume their duties,’’ the communique read in part.

    The unions went on strike to press home their demands for the enrollment of the members of staff into CONTISS 15 Migration Salary Structure for levels 11 downwards and payment of promotion arrears, among others.

    Some members of the Auchi community in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo had on Saturday appealed to striking unions of the polytechnic to call of their strike.

    They made the plea during a peaceful protest to the secretariat of the unions, appealing to them to settle their disagreements with the management and call off the strike in the interest of the institution and the community.

    The community members claimed that business and commercial activities had been paralysed in the area since the commencement of the strike.

  • Auchi poly workers suspend strike

    Auchi poly workers suspend strike

    Workers of the Federal Polytechnic Auchi in Edo State have suspended their one month old strike.

    The workers were directed by their various unions to return to work.

    Unions that went on strike in the polytechnic were Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NASUP).

    The unions embarked on the strike over failure of institution’s management to enroll staff of the institution on “CONTISS 15 Migration Salary Structure for Level 11 downward, non-payment of promotion arrears and alleged indebtedness of N1.8billion owed the unions.

    In a communiqué jointly issued after a Joint Action Congress (JAC) meeting the unions directed all staff of the institution to resume their duties.

    The communiqué was signed by Abdulganiyu Braimah (ASUP) Omonekhai Shaka (SSANIP) Solomon Aliabakhalumhe (NASU).

    According to the communique, “Sequel to the deliberations and resolutions reached at the inaugural meeting between the new management led by Dr. Sanusi Jimah and the executive member of the joint unions ASUP, SSANIP and NASU.

    “The current strike embarked upon by the unions on February 6 to press home our demands, we hereby suspend the strike as workers are directed to resume their duties.”

     

  • Auchi Poly: Management sets up committee to resolve union issues

    Auchi Poly: Management sets up committee to resolve union issues

    The management of Federal Polytechnic Auchi has set up a 9-man committee to resolve the disputes between the management and the staff union of the school.

    It would be recalled that the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (NASUP), and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria polytechnic (SSANP) embarked on an indefinite strike from 6th of February 2017, demanding the payment of their unremitted deduction amounting to 1.8 Billion Naira.

    The school management on Tuesday posted a circular which read “The Extended Management Committee at its meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, deliberated on the on-going strike action by the Staff Unions of Auchi Polytechnic. Consequently, the committee appointed a 9-man mediation committee to resolve the dispute between the Management and the Staff Unions.” Members of mediation committee are:

    MR.G.E OKPEODUA (CHAIRMAN), DR.D AHMED (MEMBER), DR.OZIEGBE ODION (MEMBER), DR.F.C CHETE (MEMBER), ENGR (MRS) OYATI EDIT (MEMBER), MRS.M.A IGBAFE (MEMBER), BARR.M.A GURUBA (MEMBER), DR.VICTOR DIBUA (MEMBER), MR.G.E IHIONKHAN (MEMBER/SECRETARY).

    Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, the Rector of the institution Engr Jafaru Buraimah said the committee is expected to present a report to the management latest on Friday and if positive, the school will be reopened immediately for the commencement of academic activities, he also added that the management is keeping in touch with the President of the Student Union Government (SUG) Samson okoduga.

    “We are meeting with them constantly and will update them on how far we have gone with the negotiation with the Union,” he said

    By Aisosa Agbondimwin

  • Auchi poly sacks 13 lecturers, demotes 16 over sexual harassment

    Auchi poly sacks 13 lecturers, demotes 16 over sexual harassment

    Authorities of the Federal Polytechnic Auchi in Edo have sacked 13 lecturers and demoted 16 others over sexual harassment and extortion of students.

    Mr Mustapha Oshiobugie, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the institution told journalists in Auchi on Wednesday that the affected lecturers had officially notified.

    “A total of 41 persons were involved in sexual harassment and extortion of money.

    “Five lecturers were dismissed, eight got their appointments terminated and 16 were demoted.

    “Four others were warned, two advised, two cautioned, one recommended for mentoring while two students were denied further admission in the institution.

    “Painstaking investigations have been done by internal and independent panels constituted by the National Board for Technical Education and Ministry of Education,” he said.

    He said that the Minister of Education approved the action based on the recommendations of the panels.

  • Polytechnic losses lecturer

    The management, students and staff of the Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Edo State, were bereaved on Tuesday. A lecturer in the Mass Communication department, Mr. Nasiru Ikhazuagbe, died after a brief illness at Faith Foundation Hospital in Edo State. The news of his death was broken by his wife, Zubedatu.

    His remains were moved to his Ogbido, Edo State home where he was buried according to Islamic rites.

    His students said his death came as a shock because he taught them a day before his death, and that he was still seen in the school premises on Wednesday and Thursday last week.

    A source said: “He slumped on Friday and he was rushed to Faith Foundation Hospital where he was hospitalised and was receiving treatment until his death early on Tuesday”.