The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal Polytechnic

  • Tension in Federal Poly Offa over rectorship

    Tension in Federal Poly Offa over rectorship

    There is palpable tension on the two campuses of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Offa local government of Kwara state over delay in the appointment of rector.

    While the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) and other unions of the institutions are rooting for one of the three recommended candidates from the interview conducted on March 21st this year for the post of rector, a group that christened itself Concerned Group said the exercise lacked credibility.

    This unsavory situation has made ASUP members and entire polytechnic community to urge the federal government to announce the substantive rector of the institution without delay.

    Addressing reporters on the mini campus of the polytechnic, the institution chair person of ASUP, Dr Sola Adeniyi wondered why the federal government is foot-dragging in announcing the rector.

    Said he: “The question is what is the basis for the lethargy on the part of the federal government in announcing the rector. ASUP has spoken, NASU has spoken, SUG has spoken. All other voices are noises that federal government should in the interest of peace and industrial harmony at the polytechnic should stop listening to.

    “We wish to reiterate that the process produced the three recommended candidates from screening,  shortlisting and interview are credible; due processes were followed and the results are acceptable to us in the polytechnic.

    “The interview was conducted by chartered professional and experts; and chaired by the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Education. The Executive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), two representatives of the Federal Character Commission, two democratically elected representatives of the academic board of the polytechnic and representatives of all other relevant agencies concerned were on the panel of the interview.

    “The interview panel has done a good job. As such the exercise has been variously described as credible, free and fair. One of the three recommended candidates has been acting in the capacity of rector since February since 2016, apart from her impressive credentials, she has been acting creditably well.

    “Federal Polytechnic Offa has been enjoying peace and witnessing since the past eight years and even presently.”

  • Rector seeks end to Degree/HND dichotomy

    Rector seeks end to Degree/HND dichotomy

    The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Dr. Abubakar Abdul Dzukogi has stated that the Degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) dichotomy has not helped in addressing the unemployment level in the country.

    According to him, the discrimination between graduands of universities and polytechnics is unnecessary adding that emphasis should be placed on performance and skills and not certificate.

    The Rector made this appeal during the pre-convocation press briefing to mark the activities of the 14th Convocation ceremony in Bida on Tuesday.

    He said that graduates from polytechnic are those who move the economy forward as they surpass the university graduates in performance and skills.

    “The dichotomy between graduates from the universities and polytechnics is unnecessary. I am sure that this would soon dawn on us in Nigeria especially with the high unemployment level we have in this country.

    “The issue we are talking about is not about cramming but the ability to perform what have been taught.”

    Dzukogi appealed to government and all employers of labor to remove the difference and test every applicant according to the course they read, “I appeal to government and all employers of labor to do something about this dichotomy. There should be no difference between institutions; everyone should be given a fair playing ground.”

    The Rector further said that the polytechnic will be convocating 24, 279 graduands made up of 16, 362 National Diploma and 7,917 Higher National Diploma adding that the institution had not held convocation for eight years due to lack of funds.

    He added N7 million have been expended for the procurement of non-personalized certificates from the Nigeria Minting and Printing Company to enable all certificates to be prepared for collection after the convocation.

    Dzukogi then expressed his determination to do operate within extant laws, instill discipline among staff and students and do things in line with international best practices.

  • ‘Oko crisis ‘ll end soon’

    The crisis rocking the Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra State and the host community will soon end, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Christian Odukwe, has said.

    He spoke yesterday at the institution at a two-day workshop for senior administrative workers. Its theme is: “Developing skills for Peak Performance in Administration”.

    The workshop was organised by the Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospital, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), Federal Polytechnic, Oko branch.

    Udukwe said: “We are making progress in the crisis and with God, we hope that very soon, we will have a level-playing field where everybody will be happy.

    “Very soon, we will have peace. This is why we are running the place with an olive branch to make the institution the best in the country. You will not make progress in an atmosphere of rancour.”

    The Rector, Prof. Godwin Onu and the Chairman of SSAUTHRIAI, Mrs. Ifeoma Ezeokoli, said the purpose of the workshop is to re-orientate the senior administrative workforce on what constitutes the ingredients to excel in their duties.

  • Council appoints registrar, bursar

    The Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Idah (IDAH POLY), Kogi State, has appointed a new registrar and bursar for the institution.

    Alhaji Karim Musa Abu is the Registrar of the Polytechnic, while Mr James Oni Achumu is the new bursar.

    Abu, who is the ninth Registrar of the institution, took over from Mr Jonah Elaigwu, whose second tenure of five years expired on June 12.

    As Registrar, Abu is saddled with planning, organising, directing, and co-ordinating the operations of the Registry of the polytechnic. He will also serve as Secretary to the Governing Council.

    Born on May 31, 1954, Abu, a native of Idah in Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State joined the Polytechnic in November 1982.

    He became a Deputy Registrar in January, 1996 and served as Deputy Registrar, Personnel Division, prior to his promotion.

    Abu, who holds a Master of Science in Public Administration, is a doctoral student in the Department of Public Administration of the Kogi State University, Anyigba.