The Alumni Association of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, has Held it's first IBB Annual Public Lecture Series In Honour of the former Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
The National President of the Association,Nze Hnery Chukwuka Nnebe, in his welcome address said that the world gets complicated with every passing day, reason there is need to stay connected using the alumni. He stressed that with the alumni association, the students of the institution can stay connected to friends and to the vast resources still available within the institution. He however challenged members of the alumni on ways they can give back to the institution that made them what they are today. He opined that there are many ways to give back, from career and academic mentoring to volunteering time at the on and off campus events to simply attending academic and social events within the institution.
While interacting with newsmen after the lecture series he said that "for the past 13 years the school has not held any convocation and soon the rector will be doing valedictory address, how would she know the number of students that has graduated through her, you can not give certificates through the back door, it must be made public" He stressed that even though there is paucity of funds to get do the convocation, that there is need for that to be done before she retires from service.
Dr Ezenwafor who is the Head Department Accountancy, while interacting with newsmen after the presentation of the award expressed happiness over the awards and said it has spurred him to work harder. He thanked students, staff and the alumni of the institution for the honour done to him.
Dr Emma C. Ezenwafor bagged three awards including the award of the Most Distinguished Lecturer of the year in Oko Polytechnic. He also got the award as the Polytechnic Ambassador and Outstanding lecturer in Accountancy department.
The former Rector of the institution and current Vice-Chancellor of Tansian University, Prof. Eugene Nwadialor,went down memory lane to re count how the institution was established and the role the Late Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife and the then President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida played in seeing to the reality of the vision of having an institution called Federal Polythenic Oko today. While delivering his presentation at the lecture series, he said, "it's therefore imperative that when you are in position of authority, let your policies and programmes not be driven by tribe, culture, religion or even ethnicity, but by purpose, value and people. Wherever you are operating from, let the interest of the people be the driving force", he said.
Recall that the institution was converted to the present status as federal polytechnic by the administration of General Babangida in 1993.
The Rector of the institution, Engr. Dr. Francisca Unoma Nwafulgo in her address at the occasion stated that her administration has worked tirelessly since 2019 improve the polytechnic. She stated that her administration ensured the re accreditation of over 62 programmes by the NBTE. This is in addition to new programmes established by the administration. The Rector said that the polytechnic has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the private sector including Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing for training programmes.
On staff welfare, Dr Nwafugo said that her administration approved workshop, seminars, ICT training for staff. According to her, laptops were distributed to staff free after ICT training. Ensure security as Federal Poly is safe for staff and students.
The Rector who was represented by the bursar, Mr. Stephen Udu thanked the alumni led by Nze Henry Chukwuka Nnebe, for the input towards promoting the growth of the institution.
She lauded the vision of the alumni for the award as the practice will motivate staff towards higher productivity. She called on alumni to partner with management towards make the institution better than it is", she added.
The Polytechnic Librarian, Dr Mrs Nwabu Ezemba, Ichie Sir Izuchukwu Nwabueze, Dr Emma Ezenwafor all received Alumni Ambassador Award. Some academic staff of the institution also received different Distinguished Lecturer Awards and they included: Dr Onyeka Uwakwe, School of Information Technology,Dr Victor Okoye, School of Financial Studies,Dr Simon Ifeanyi Okeke, School of Applied Sciences, Yohanna Samuel Adamu School of Environmental Sciences Engr. Anthony Umeozokwere, School of Engineering. Dr Egwuchukwu Ifensor, School of General Studies, Rev. Benjamin Ekwueme, School of Arts Science and Technology, Ferdinand Ekwealor, School of Business Studies. Engr. Christopher Osuji and Engr. Anthony Umeozokwere. Among others.