From Kossy Ebunilo
Mass Communication Department
Fedpoly, Oko
Like the Halley’s Comet that orbits the earth every 75 years; like a wild fire in the harmattan season, the emergence of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie as the substantive rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko on 4th February, 2025 revolutionalized leadership of the polytechnic.
As an internally generated rector, Dr. Awuzie is armed with the recurrent problems of the polytechnic like the back of her hand; unlike a “poached” rector from outside the polytechnic - akin to a fish out of water. The achievements of the rector thus far are overwhelming and inspiring. The palm kernels were not cracked for the rector by a benevolent spirit - the rector cracked them herself!
It is difficult keeping tabs of the dizzying activities of the young, visionary, vibrant, virile, energetic, fiery, resilient, result-oriented, promising and proactive rector because, virtually every new day brings forth tidings of accomplishments and breakthroughs in the life of the polytechnic through her stewardship.
Within days of possession of office, she quietly reactivated the water factory and POLYBREAD industry domiciled in the department of Food Science and Technology grounded for over two years.
The school's printing press at the extension site in the department of Printing Technology of the polytechnic was equally resuscitated.
In one fell swoop, the rector reduced the school fees paid by students of the polytechnic each year from N21,600 to less than N14,000, thereby, lessening the financial burden of parents and guardians, whose wards are in the polytechnic.
Students’ Work Aid Programmes also came on board. This enabled students to be paid while assisting in the cleaning of the polytechnic environment, cutting of overgrown flowers, in the bakery, water factory, printing press, etc.
Statements of Results of graduating students were given a boost. Students' results that were previously unduly delayed are now processed in record time at the Result Printing and Control Unit of the Registry Repartment.
To consolidate the security and lives of both staff and students of the polytechnic, the rector engaged the services of St. Christopher’s Security Services Limited.
Under her watch, seven academic staff were promoted to the rank of chief lecturer. Many teaching and non-teaching staff of various cadres equally moved from one grade level to the other. An elaborate staff sports club with rooms for recreation and entertainment is already nearing completion at the extension site of the polytechnic.
Several grounded computers at the Computer Based Test, (CBT) housed at the auditorium & extension site were serviced and repaired. Also brand new computers were added to the fleet. The Office Technology Management department received 50 brand new desktop computers to enhance teaching and learning in the department.
To strengthen mutual understanding, rapport and excellent working relationship already existing between the polytechnic and the host community, Oko, the rector and her management paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of Oko in his palace, Igwe (Prof) Lazarus Ekwueme, the Ijikala II of Oko. Same courtesy call has been extended to the traditional ruler of Ufuma, where the polytechnic has a campus, His Royal Highness, Igwe Chika Uchime, Diji III of Ufuma.
The rector mounted the department of Geology at Ufuma Campus. The National Board for Technical Education, (NBTE) has already undertaken resource inspection of both the personnel and equipment in the department with a view to accrediting the department.
A state-of-the art Senator Barnabas Gemade Medical Centre has just been completed and awaiting commissioning at Ufuma Campus to mark Dr. Awuzie's 100 days stewardship of the polytechnic.
Currently, some departments have undergone reaccreditation, while others are warming up to be reaccredited in no distant time.
The radio studio of Mass Communication department received a boost with the upgrading of key broadcasting equipment in the studio, and the renewal of the broadcast operating license by the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, (NBC) through the intervention of the rector. The license of the radio studio expired 5 years ago. The radio broadcasts live on the campus on 98.7 FM and beyond.
Recently, the biggest project yet of her 100 days in office was birthed. A team of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFUND) officials under the auspices of Rural Electrification Agency, (REA) came to the polytechnic to ascertain the feasible area to mount approved hybrid solar energy for the polytechnic with the capacity to meet all the power energy needs of the institution – installed equipments and departmental energy needs. This is a watershed aimed at ending protracted power shortages in the polytechnic that have crippled consolidated practical teaching in many departments.
Several novel activities have been mapped out for the rector's 100 days in office. They are comprehensively articulated as follows:
1. Tuesday, 27th May 2025;
(a) Free Medical outreach for the Host Community, Oko. Venue: Civic Centre, Oko; Time: 8.00 am.
(b) Flag-Off of Skills Development programme. Venue: Skill Development Centre, Fedpoly, Oko, Extension site. Time: 2.00 pm.
2. Wednesday, 28th May, 2025;
(a) Hospital Visitation. Time: 10.00 am
(b) Exhibition of products from various departments in the polytechnic; Time: 11.30 am: Venue; Convocation Arena;
(c) Unity Cup Finals match. Venue: Polytechnic Field: Kick-off Time 3.00 pm.
3. Saturday, 31st May, 2025;
Special Thanksgiving Mass commemorating her appointment as Substantive Rector, Fedpoly, Oko/100 Days in Office: Venue: St. Augustine's Catholic Chaplaincy, Fedpoly, Oko. Time: 11.30 am.
The chronicled achievements of the rector in the last 100 days are certainly a tip of the iceberg of greater things coming to the polytechnic in the next 4 years of her tenure. The rector, like all humans, has her flaws. Our greatest assets are usually our worst liabilities. It is said that nobody can make omelet without breaking eggs! Same is akin to leadership of sorts.
We wish the rector, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, the best and the courage to grapple honestly, diligently and dedicatedly with the onerous task of navigating the uncharted stormy waters of the polytechnic landscape and leadership.
Ad multos annos!