100 Days: Part-Time Programmes, More Departments Return To Federal Polytechnic Oko ..as Dr Awuzie Reels Out Her 12 Points Agenda as Substantive Rector

By Uzo Ugwunze

The Substantive Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr Chioma Irene Awuzie has announced the Reintroduction of Part-time academic programmes and successful accreditation of more departments to give lovers of education more varieties and access to Education.

Delivering a lecture on her administration’s 12 Points Agenda for Federal Polytechnic Oko (FPO) at the Polytechnic Auditorium, Oko, Anambra State as one of the activities to mark her 100 days in office , Dr Awuzie said that the R2 (Evening Program) and Weekend Programmes were reintroduced to cater for individuals who cannot attend regular weekday classes including workers, business owners and parents with the aim of widening access to higher education for underserved groups.

“My seemless and professional coordinated resource inspection and accreditation exercise by the National Board for Technical Education(NBTE) made possible the accreditation of 9 academic programmes in the institution.

“They include Biochemistry, Biochemistry/Microbiology, Surveying and Geo Informatics, Hospital Management Tourism, Horticultural Technology, Geological Technology and verification in Agricultural Technology.

” On assumption of office I started with my vision and mission. I kick started my 12 Points Agenda which include Human Resource Development, Staff Welfare, Academic Reinvention and Program Development, Students welfare, Discipline, Anti cultism, Academic Integrity, Relationship with Stakeholders, Public Relations and Image Laundering, Security, Financial transparency and Infrastructural Development.

“Under my administration there is prompt payment of salary. Federal Government palliative 50kg bags of rice were distributed to staff. Appraisal and prompt payment of salary, recognition of hard working staff with incentives.
I have touched all the 12 areas within this 100 days”.

“In Discipline: Discipline has been instilled on both the students and staff. Our Servicom unit are always there to do their job.

“Anti cultism: Our institution has zero tolerance to cultism. Our anti cult squad is always there to make sure that no clandestine activities operate in the campus.

“Academic Integrity: My administration set up task force that monitor the activities of my staff to ensure that lecturers attend classes as at when due.

“Relationship with Stakeholders: This administration has a harmonious and cordial relationship with our Stakeholders- The Governing Council, Host Community. We kick started the 100 days in office by sponsoring a free medical outreach for the host community at the Oko Civic Center. We also embarked on hospital visitation within Oko community.

“This administration has good relationship with the students. On assumption of office students clamoured for their school fees to be removed which we reduced by 7 percent. The students know that they have a mother in the new rector.

“With the Unions: This is the first time in the history of FPO that all the Unions are speaking in one voice and working very harmoniously with the rector and the management.

“Public Relations & Image management: as you can see today, the PR unit has been empowered.

“Security: We immediately engaged a security outfit that will be securing this school and a MOU have been signed with them.

“Financial transparency: Due process is always followed in procurement and the Rector knows his approval limit/threshold.

“On Infrastructural Development: The New Rector is called Madam Project. We reactivated a lot of things that had gone moribund like the table and sachet water production, The bakery/Polyfoods Bread. The Printing press has been expanded. We completed and equipped the Skill Acquisition Center. We also flagged off a Skill Development training program few days ago.The Staff Sports club & Relaxation Center was completed and well equipped under my administration. We also have beds for guests in the Guest room/house there.

“This administration has built 3 Security posts .At FPO Extension Ufuma campus, this administration completed the ‘Senator Barnabas Gemade Medical Center Ufuma campus’.

“In the Skill Development center we have block moulding equipments, Tailoring and Fashion Design equipment, Wielding and Fabrication equipment, Furniture equipments open for all to go and learn.

“This administration has come to serve. To reposition FPO, to bring this institution to limelight for it to become what it used to be in the past. This administration has come to launder the image of FPO.

” Just give us two years when you come back you will not recognize that it was the same institution you visited during this celebration of my 100 days in office. We have beautified the school, enforced cleanliness, decentralized examination and records. This administration has said no to discrimination and witch hunting. It is an all inclusive one where everyone is welcome. During my appointments we put the square pegs in square holes.

“I want to thank Mr President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing me the Substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko. I am promising him that he did not make a mistake appointing me and I will not disappoint him.I want to also thank the Federal Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, I also thank the Governing Council FPO for their fatherly support for not being the overbearing type. I appreciate my management staff and students of the polytechnic for their solidarity and support” said Awuzie.

Commissioning the projects, the Director of Polytechnic Education and Allied Institutions, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Ejeh A. Usman who was represented by Angu Jacob Umoru a Deputy Director said those projects would impact on the students and staff positively.

“I strongly recommend that the Ministry of Education will always consider recommending homebred, internal internally generated Staff for Substantive Rectorship appointments because of the exploits and accelerated achievements we have seen in the person of Dr Chioma Awuzie of Federal Polytechnic Oko.

“May I commend the rector for her prudent management of resources which are mostly internally generated because government has not released money yet. She is working assiduously to take this polytechnic to enviable heights,”he said .