Oko Alumni At 40: Four Decades Of Excellence And Impact

By Oguocha Chukwuebuka

It was a moment of celebration, reflection and recognition as the Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association marked its 40th Anniversary, Book Launch and Award Presentation under the theme, “Oko to the World: Celebrating Excellence, Leadership and National Development.”

The event attracted members of the association from far and near, as well as individuals of great repute, many of whom are products of the Federal Polytechnic Oko and have distinguished themselves in different fields of endeavour.

The anniversary, held at Hilton Leisure, Awka, Anambra State, provided an opportunity for the association to look back on four decades of alumni engagement and contributions to the development of the institution.

Speaking at the event, the National President of the association, Nze Henry Nnebe, Ijele Nze, disclosed that the alumni body had invested substantially in infrastructure, education and other institutional support initiatives since its establishment.

According to Nnebe, some of the major projects undertaken by the association include the Alumni Secretariat, National Secretariat Complex, Alumni Hostel Project and the modern gate at the Ufuma Campus.

He disclosed that the Ufuma Campus gate alone was valued at more than N40 million, describing it as part of the association’s efforts to contribute to the improvement of infrastructure within the institution.
Nnebe also highlighted the National Secretariat Complex, construction of which commenced in 2015 and was completed and commissioned in 2018.

He explained that the complex houses administrative offices, a conference hall, main hall and other facilities.

The National President further disclosed that the Alumni Hostel Project, initiated by a previous administration, had an estimated value of more than N300 million, although the project encountered sustainability challenges.
Beyond physical infrastructure, Nnebe said the association had also invested in initiatives aimed at promoting intellectual development, academic excellence and the preservation of the institution’s heritage.

He mentioned the IBB Annual Lecture Series and Awards as well as the Oko Polymaths Hall of Fame among the programmes introduced by the association.

According to him, the association had also established a tradition of welcoming newly appointed rectors as part of efforts to encourage cordial relations and constructive engagement between the alumni body and the management of the polytechnic.

Nnebe said the association currently has 10 functional branches, alongside a functioning Board of Trustees and Central Working Committee, following the resolution of a prolonged dispute through an out-of-court settlement.

He urged the management of the polytechnic to continue to embrace dialogue, mutual respect and constructive engagement, stressing that the alumni association and the institution remained partners with a shared heritage and common interest.

The alumni president assured the management of the association’s continued readiness to support genuine initiatives aimed at improving the institution and enhancing the welfare of both students and staff.

Oko At 40: ‘We Must Protect The Legacy’ — Nwabueze
Earlier, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the anniversary, Dr Izuchukwu Nwabueze, said the Federal Polytechnic Oko had made significant contributions to technical education and human capital development since its establishment.

Nwabueze noted that the institution had produced graduates who had distinguished themselves across different sectors both within Nigeria and internationally.

He said the 40th anniversary was not only a celebration but also an opportunity to reflect on the institution, honour its pioneers and assess the milestones recorded over the years.

The committee chairman reaffirmed the commitment of the alumni association to protecting its independence while sustaining its support for the development of the polytechnic.

He also called for stronger cooperation between the alumni association and the institution’s management, stressing that their shared commitment to the growth of the polytechnic should remain a priority.

Ayinde Celebrates Oko Polymaths
Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Chief Tayo Ayinde, described members of the association as distinguished “Oko Polymaths.”

Ayinde, who was represented at the occasion by Moriakinyo Akinrinade, attributed his absence to official engagements, while expressing his continued identification with the Federal Polytechnic Oko as an alumnus.
He pledged to attend future programmes of the association.

The anniversary celebration also featured the unveiling of the Oko Polymaths Hall of Fame, presentation of awards to distinguished alumni and a review of the association’s contributions to the development of the institution over the past four decades.

The gathering ultimately served as a celebration of the achievements of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, its alumni and the enduring relationship between the institution and the association that represents its graduates.