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Tag: Federal Polytechnic Oko

  • Oko Poly rector unveils 12-point agenda for growth

    Oko Poly rector unveils 12-point agenda for growth

    • Institute lays foundation for digital security station
    • By Divine Joseph, Joy Anyanwu, and Beulah Ebitanmi

    The Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has rolled out 12-point agenda for the transformation of the institution within her five year single tenure.

    The Federal Government recently approved the appointment of Dr. Awuzie to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the polytechnic.

    Dr. Awuzie, a seasoned educationist and administrator with a proven track record of excellence, has many years of experience in teaching, research and leadership.

     In her inaugural speech recently, she outlined her vision for the polytechnic, emphasising the need for innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills development.

    She noted the need to introduce more new technological oriented programmes that would expose the students to skill acquisitions, being able to use their hands as much as their brains.

    She has also laid the foundation for the digitalised security station at the extension site to combat incessant attacks on its facilities.

    Explaining her strategic plans for the polytechnic, she said, “As we embark on this new chapter in the history of this citadel of learning, our administration is firmly committed to a transformative vision encapsulated in a 12-point agenda. This agenda will serve as a strategic roadmap for repositioning the institution as a hub of technological creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness.”

    The Rector also pledged to strengthen the institution’s industry partnerships, improve infrastructure, and enhance the overall learning experience for students. She promised to strengthen the institution’s ties with sister institutions in matters of affiliation in order to improve academic excellence.

     “We will work closely with industries, stakeholders to ensure that our curricula are relevant and aligned with industry needs,” she explained.

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    Speaking during the foundation laying ceremony in Oko, Awuzie said the security station when completed would be equipped with ultramodern security gadgets with 24 hours power supply to keep the environment under round the clock surveillance.

    Regretting some valuables already carted away, the rector reiterated readiness of her administration to train and retrain security men and women and engage more vibrate ones to man strategic locations of the polytechnic’s three campuses.

    She promised to synergise with formal security agencies to beef up security network on campus, adding that such would improve the confidence of students residing within the campuses.

    “This security station will be one of its kinds and will be completed on schedule with ultramodern equipment to fast track the required security network in the area. We will work closely with the security operatives for necessary backup and strengthen our internal security through adequate training and retraining. We will ensure regular patrolling and illumination of all dark areas of the campuses to restore confidence of students and give them extended time of night study,” she said.

  • Chioma Awuzie appointed Federal Polytechnic Oko Rector 

    Chioma Awuzie appointed Federal Polytechnic Oko Rector 

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie as the substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko.  

    The appointment, according to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Chijioke Ibeziako, is for a term of five years and takes effect immediately.   

    The Governing Council of the polytechnic led by Senator Dr. Barnabas Gemade OFR, after a transparent and competitive selection process, recommended three names to the President with Dr. Awuzie as the frontline candidate. 

    She rose through the ranks to become a Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry option) Federal Polytechnic OKo and holds a doctorate degree in Physical and Materials Chemistry.

    She has served the Polytechnic in different administrative positions which include: Head, Department of Renewable Energy Research and Development; Director, International Higher Education Academic Organisations; Co-ordinator, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Director, Petroleum, Coal and Renewable Energy Research Unit and Director/Desk officer in charge of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) projects. 

    Dr. Awuzie assisted in the establishment of many infrastructural projects across the three campuses of Federal Polytechnic Oko thereby ensuring a robust and quality academic exercise. 

    Dr.Awuzie was among the group of experts appointed by National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) which drafted the National and Higher National diploma Curricular for Renewable Energy Technology currently in use in Nigerian Polytechnics. 

    Her career is marked by her unwavering dedication to academic excellence and advocacy for professional advancement. 

    Read Also: FG appoints Onyegbu acting rector Federal Polytechnic Oko

    Dr. Awuzie is an internationally recognised scholar who has consistently proven her expertise through numerous scholarly publications and research presentations that illustrate her practical knowledge.  

    She is a fellow of the following professional bodies: Chemical Society of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria and Institute of Corporate Administration.   

    Dr. Chioma Awuzie is a great humanitarian who through her foundation, Dr. Chioma Awuzie Foundation has given scholarship to many indigent students to facilitate their education. 

    She has also empowered many youths, women and communities through different schemes and initiatives.

    Expectations are high that she will bring her vast experience to bear in  repositioning Federal Polytechnic Oko as a distinct citadel of learning that will compete not only nationally but also globally.

  • Oko poly campus submerged in flood

    •    Students ordered to vacate

    Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, (Atani Campus), Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State have been asked to vacate after flood submerged their campus.

    A statement yesterday by the institution’s spokesman, Obini Onuchukwu, said the emergency holiday might be extended beyond one week if the flooding continued.

    It urged the students to vacate the campus for a week to allow the flood dissipate to avoid any form of casualty.

    According to Onuchukwu, access roads to the campus, fields, offices and classrooms were submerged and students ccould not access their classrooms.

    He said the institution’s perimeter fencing, electric transformer, power generating sets were submerged, resulting in blackout.

    Onuchukwu praised the National Emergency Maintenance Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Maintenance Agency (SEMA) for  managing the situation.

    The statement reads: “Our Atani Campus has been submerged by the flood. We encountered this experience almost every year but the magnitude of this year’s flood is overwhelming. Apart from the campus, private hostels were also submerged, making it impossible for any reasonable academic activity hold.

    “We had put some measures in place and cleared some channels but this year’s flood came in a way we did not expect. But we thank God that so far there has been no human casualty.

    “We are using this opportunity to beg for the Federal and State governments’ interventions to enable us address the issue and reopen when the flood fritters away.”

  • Oko Poly wants FG to immortalise Ekwueme

    Oko Poly wants FG to immortalise Ekwueme

    The Federal polytechnic, Oko ( Oko Poly ), in Anambra, has urged the Federal Government to immortalise the first Vice President of the country, the late Dr Alex Ekwueme, for his selfless service to the nation.

    The polytechnic’s spokesman, Mr Obini Onuchukwu, made the institution’s position known in statement in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra on Wednesday.

    Onuchukwu said that the management, on behalf of the governing council and entire polytechnic community, expressed shock over the news of the demise of Ekwueme, who founded the polytechnic in 1979 as College of Arts and Science.

    According to him, immortalising Ekwueme in acknowledgment of his major role in the nation’s democracy, will serve as a “pat on the back” and a source of encouragement to the community.

    The institution noted that Ekwueme would be remembered for his fatherly role and efforts in attracting development to the polytechnic.

    “The late icon will also be remembered for his political strength in the entire South-East zone and Nigeria as a whole.

    “The news of his demise, which is grievously shocking, has thrown the entire polytechnic community into mourning, especially as the history of the institution can never be told without the name of the late patriarch being mentioned.

    “As a true nationalist, late Ekwueme formulated many political ideologies to advance the country.

    “His love for his people in particular and the nation in general, gave rise to what is today known as the Federal Polytechnic, Oko.

    “We are saddened by the news of his transition at the age of 85 because his wise counsel and tutelage will be greatly missed.

    “We have lost a great man. We have lost a father. We have lost a political giant.

    “We are in deep shock that it happened at a time like this when growing politicians needed to tap more from the wealth of experience and knowledge of the former Vice President.

    “On a different note, the death is also a celebration of a rare gem because the former vice president lived a fulfilled life and laid a good foundation which we all enjoy today.”

    He described Ekwueme as “one of the old generation elder statesmen who lived a peace loving life and a man of courage; and we will miss him so much”.

    The institution prayed God to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Meanwhile, the polytechnic has opened a condolence register at the institution’s administrative office as a mark of respect for the founder of the institution.

    NAN

  • Be diligent, students told

    Be diligent, students told

    The Bar Association of Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra State, has organised a two-day seminar for members to mark the 13th “Call to Bar” ceremony of the association.

    The event with the theme: The law and you was attended by the founder, Dr H.C. Mbanisi and principal officers of the association.

    Dr Mbanisi described the ceremony as timely, saying it offered opportunity for members to network and brainstorm on issues relating to students’ welfare.

    In his lecture entitled: Constitution: Functions and Relevance, the guest lecturer, F.M. Oduaha, said constitution of any given society was the powerhouse that directed the affairs of a people. He said: “Disregarding laid-down laws can subject a society to crisis and in extreme cases, this could result in anarchy as well as destruction of lives. This is the cause of the conflict that has engulfed the Middle East in recent times.

    “The constitution is the live-wire of a society that assures the peaceful co-existence of any people. For a society to grow and fight injustice, unlawful acts and infringement on the rights of citizens, the constitution provides the template for achieving social cohesion.”

    The founder of Ogbummuo Chambers, Benjamin Ogbummuo, advised the new lawyers to be diligent and believe in themselves as they set out in the legal world.

    Nick Anozie, who spoke on “Why am I here?” charged the lawyers to desist from unethical practices and stay true to their calling.

    “I want all of you to realise the purpose of your journey into the legal profession. You must seek to add meaning to your life in everything you do,” he stated.

    Highlight of the event was the launch of “Barristers Handbook and Legal Practices” authored by the Secretary General of the association, Barrister Ezeokoli Echezonachukwu.

  • Breaking News: Fed Poly Oko down tools

    …Joint Action committee of Trade Unions condemns molestation of ASUP officials

    …says it operates in atmosphere of fear

    …demands removal of the two officers from Office
    Tension is high at Federal Polytechnic, Oko Wednesday as Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions (JACTU) grounded all academic and non academic activities in the institution until further notice.
    This was following the recommendations of the Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions (JACTU) to the Rector of the Institution Prof Godwin Onu to remove his two aides, Mr Amobi Chiamogu and Stanley Okafor from office for assaulting the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Oko chapter officials.
    JACTU  said  it hereby withdraws herself from further official engagements with management until the issues are resolved adding that it is now operating in an atmosphere of fear, dreadful in academic environment, this they said is unacceptable.
    Rising from an emergency meeting yesterday JACTU, condemned the attack on the officials of the union by people from the office of the Rector adding that the action smacks of high level of indiscipline and gangsterism.
    The resolution made available to  The Nation  was signed by Chairman of ASUP, Dr Onyeka Uwakwe , General Secretary ASUP , Lady Ogugua Ochuba , a lawyer ; Chairman of   NASU, Chief Ezenwankwo Ik and secretary ,Nwankwo Jeff as well as Chairman SSNAIP Okoye G.F and Secretary Nwafor Barnabas.
    JACTU wrote Rector Prof Onu and copied National President  of ASUP, General Secretary among others.
    It stated in part,’’ a meeting of the Joint Action  of Trade Unions (ASUP, NASU, SSANIP) took place on Tuesday , October 22, 2013 as a result of a report on assault and attack on ASUP by officers attached to your office—Mr Amobi Chiamogu and Barr Stanley Okafor , during ASUP emergency congress held on Monday, October 21, 2013.
    ‘’Mr Amobi Chiamogu began attack on ASUP officials and in the process destroying official documents of the union as well as inflicting body injuries to General- Secretary, Lady Barr Ogugua Ochuba . He later rained punches on one Kossy Ebunilo , an academic staff in the meeting. The legal Adviser ,Br Stanley Okafor lumbered into the meeting with a stick and eventually caused a commotion . Reports indicate that a yet to be confirmed accomplices aided the duo in the act of infamy. The meeting reviewed the situation and concludes the development is strange to an academic environment and public service rules.
    ‘’Regrettably, the two officers who assaulted and caused bodily injuries to an officer and members of ASUP are key officers attached to your office. How can such highly placed officers of Rectory Unit throw decorum to the winds? Indeed the actions are atrocious that JACTU is worried that these men were sponsored to engage in such heinous acts. Ironically, one of the officers , the legal adviser , Mr Stanley Okafor is not a member of ASUP. What then brought to a meeting of intellectuals?
    ‘’JACTU condemns the action of the duo in entirety and regrets that the actions are unprecedented in the institution. The actions smack of high level of indiscipline and gangsterism. The development is appalling, shocking and unacceptable. Other personal assistants and legal advisers have successfully operated in the institution without abusing powers or causing a breach a breach of peace.
    ‘’In view of the forgoing, management appears to weigh poorly on Labour relations measurement scale. Consequently, JACTU hereby withdraws herself from further official engagements with management until the issues are resolved.
    ‘’Regrettably, he victims of the duo are very senior officers of the Polytechnic. JACTU , therefore , demands immediate removal of these officers from office. The action is deplorable and JACTU demands that appropriate punitive sanctions be meted to these people. JACTU also demands unreserved public apology by both management and the concerned officers.
    JACTU ended thus, ‘’ Generally, in view of the unguarded utterances of threats to life by the duo , JACTU is compelled to believe that staff and unions now operate in an atmosphere of fear. That is dreadful enough in an academic environment and this is unacceptable’’.