THE management of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State has said the institution has improved its academic calendar with examinations no longer written beyond two weeks.
Acting Registrar of the Polytechnic, Mr. Obini Onuchukwu, disclosed this while addressing some executive members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) who paid a courtesy visit to office of the Rector, Engr. Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo.
According to him, the Federal Polytechnic has lived up to expectations of the students and staff since emergence of the Rector a year and five months ago.
Onuchukwu, flanked by Deputy Rector, Izuchukwu Onu; Acting Polytechnic Librarian, Mrs. Nwabu Ezemba; the Director, Academic Planning, Mr. Uche Onyegbu; and Acting Bursar, Mr. Wilfred Agbo, added that Nwafulugo leadership acumen has equally improved the welfare of their staff making it possible for unions and associations like Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) and Non Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (NASU) to be happy unlike before they were lamenting over poor welfare and non conducive environment.
“The Rector is like a mother we all desired to have. She met the institution when we needed a mother touch, when we needed her most. All of us can testify to that. Rising from Federal Polytechnic Kaduna Poly to Oko Poly shows she knows the terrain very well. That is why she is repositioning all aspect of our institution. She came when we were having accreditation challenges. And made it successful. She brought peace and harmony to all staff, students and associations.
“We are happy. Within two months, she initiated and completed so many infrastructural projects even at our extension site. She also strengthened the academic environment. Students are happy with that and, because of it they have become more studious knowing that there is no chance for anyone to cheat in examinations hall due to new sitting arrangement and thorough supervision. Also, examinations no longer take place beyond two weeks,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rector, Engr. Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo, while thanking the polytechnic management on their support and team work, which according to her, was responsible for various achievements they have recorded, assured that the institution would never relent in producing professionals.
Dr. Nwafulugo, equally praised the Acting Registrar, describing him as a brother and staff, whose lifestyle has also positioned him as a mentor in social area.
“Whenever he is around, I am at peace and good to go. He always buy the show. We call him the image maker of the institution. Through him we have had so many good poeple coming to invest into the polytechnic. So many people love him so much. He is the person you can attest to. There are a lot of attributes of him which made the polytechnic to find him worthy of the position,” she maintained.
Earlier, the Chairman of NUJ, Anambra state Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ifesinachi, said the union were at the Polytechnic to identify and commend them for providing journalism and other professionals with highly ethical workforce, as well as for recently elevating one of its own, Mr. Onuchukwu to the rank of Acting Registrar.
“The visit was because of an existing relationship between the union and the institution. We appreciate your administration acumen which has brought peace and harmony into the polytechnic. We are proud of your products. They constitute the major workforce we have in media industry in Anambra state and beyond. They are also doing well in other profession. We want you to sustain the efforts. We are also happy with recent elevation of our colleague, Mr Obini Onuchukwu to Acting Registrar. We are appealing for the polytechnic to give him maximum support,” Ifesinachi revealed.
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
