Federal Polytechnic Oko, Others Suffering Existential Threat, As Oko Polytechnic Alumni Association Commends Babangida

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Awka

Members of the Alumni Association of Federal Polytechnic Oko have agreed that the Polytechnic and others in Nigeria are suffering existential threat. This they agreed must stop immediately.

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COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF 2ND IBB ANNUAL LECTURE SERIES ORGANIZED BY FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, OKO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION DATED 13TH DECEMBER,2024 AT HILTON LEISURE RESORT AND HOTELS , AWKA

The 2nd IBB lecture series in honour of former president General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida scheduled to be presided over by Rt Hon.Abbas Tajudeen PhD, Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria was chaired by Hon. Kemelayefa Omonibeke, PhD, due to the former unavoidable absent.

Hon Omonibeke was the Former Acting Chairman Of Federal Polytechnic Oko 11th Governing Council, former Commissioner I SUBEB in Bayelsa State as well as former Deputy Chief Whip of Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

Prof. Ugochukwu Nzewi, former Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko who was also former Vice-Chancellor of Paul University ,Awka delivered the Keynote speech on the topic: Challenges and Crises in Polytechnic Administration in Nigeria: The Interplay of Supervisory Bodies, Governing Council, Management, and Alumni.

After extensive deliberations, the attendees led by Nze Henry Chukwuka Nnebe , National President, Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association and National Secretary, Forum of Nigeria Polytechnics Alumni Association resolved as follows:

1. Alumni admitted that there is crisis in the Polytechnic management sequel to roles played by different stakeholders including the presidency, Federal ministry of Education, National Board for Technical Education and the Governing Councils in creating disharmony in the Polytechnics.
2. The major problem as observed in the Polytechnics is the non adherence to the extant law – The Polytechnic Act in the administration and operations of the Polytechnics by the operators.
3. The Public Lecture Discussants and audience noted that regulation and laws guiding Polytechnics should not be toyed with, insisting that accreditation by NBTE should be denied any Polytechnic that defied the laws and stipulated regulations..
4. They frowned at the incessant interference and usurpation of powers of the Councils in appointments of Rectors, Registrars, and Bursars by the ministry of Education, lamenting the hopelessness of the arbitrary interference the ministry of Education has created in many Polytechnics,
5. They pointed out that if Councils should stick to the acts that set up the Councils without deviation and nepotism, their will progress, growth and rancour free Polytechnics. They advised that Council should stop being overbearing, but get directions from the extant laws, frowning at some politicians who are members of councils but do not actually read and apply the Polytechnic Acts.
6. The audience encouraged different unions in the Polytechnic to ensure they guide Councils aright for peaceful administration of the Polytechnic.
7. Alumni lamented the continued discrimination against Polytechnic education in Nigeria, but, noted that there are people entrenched in the system who undermine the Polytechnic education in Nigeria!, Lamenting that the scheme of service was against the Polytechnic education; even as Alumnus demanded from the NBTE to brace up to the challenge of granting quality assurance of technical and Vocational education in Nigeria.
8. The audience urged all graduates to identify passionately with their Alumni associations, appealing on relevant authorities to stop undermining the activities of the associations.
9. Alumni Association should be proactive to assist mobilize against all factors undermining the Polytechnic education in Nigeria.
10. Dichotomy against Polytechnic and their products is alarming in Nigeria. Let the Polytechnic have dual capacity of awarding HND and B Tech. M. Tech degrees.
11. Alumni Association of the Federal Polytechnic Oko agreed on the need to unite under one big umbrella for a formidable one voice and robust collaboration and partnership for common good.
12. Alumni members lamented the use of unregistered Alumnus to ferment trouble in the polytechnic and within some branches by past Polytechnic administration, but commended the first Alumni Rector of the Polytechnic, though on Acting capacity, Dr Chukwugekwu Ubaka for his efforts in restoring the serenity of the Polytechnic and it’s lost glory.
13. The Academic Board was also commended for creating two new departments Economics and Legal Studies in the school of general studies as well as granting Amnesty examination to overstayed students to enable them graduate.
14. Alumni members agreed that Polytechnics including Federal Polytechnic Oko is suffering existential threat hence every effort should be garnered to ensure Polytechnics stand without threats.
15. Alumni appreciated former Nigerian president General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida for elevating the status of the Polytechnic unimaginably in 1993 when it was announced as a Federal Polytechnic and granting its take off grant.
16. Alumni lamented that nepotism, corruption, abuse of office, employment of unqualified personnel, neglect of extant rules, financial crisis and favoritism have taken over administration of Polytechnics and other citadel of higher learning.
17. Alumni advocates that in accordance with the law that a member of council can be relieved of his position. Thus, the president can technically dissolve the council by removing the members individually from the council when a member of the council or members of the council is or are problems to the institution than unilaterally dissolution of councils.

Communique Drafting Committee:

1. Dr. Emmanuel C. Ezenwafor – Chairman
2. Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD – Secretary
3. Dr Chime ,Nwuzu, – Member
4. Mr Charles Onyeakazi, – Member
5. Bethel Okereke, – Member