Students of Federal Polytechnic Oko led by the Student Union President, Comrade Chinecherem Odumegwu has staged a peaceful protest in solidarity with the substantive Rector, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie. The students displayed placards with some write ups like “We support Dr. Chioma Awuzie” “We are proud of our Polytechnic”

The protest is in response to the statement by Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese , Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Ezeofor during the synod session of the diocese where he made uncomplimentary remarks against the appointment of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie in addition to scathing attack against staff and students of the Polytechnic.

While the protest march was ongoing, the 12th Governing Council drove into the Institution for their scheduled meeting prompting the Council Chairman, Sen.Dr. Barnabas Gemade to address the students.

Senator Gemade appreciated the students for their solidarity and for comporting themselves in an orderly manner. He stated that their action was prove that the Governing Council did the right thing with the appointment of Dr. Awuzie. According to the council chairman “It has become clear to me that the Polytechnic Community is extremely happy with the development going on in the Institution. So many new things are happening; so many dead things are being brought to life and students are beginning to experience a new lease of life”.

The Chairman urged the students to be good ambassadors of the Polytechnic by spreading the good news about the Polytechnic to their parents and people outside “I therefore charge you students to go out there to educate those ignorant people who are making statements totally inappropriate and unbecoming of their position. I also want to assure that we in the council will continue to do everything that will be for the promotion of good administration in the Institution”.

While making his speech, the SUG President faulted the cleric saying ” As the student leader,I want to confirm that the Rector is doing wonderfully well. Her appointment was on merit and we want to thank President Bola Tinubu for making the right choice and the chairman of the Governing Council for taking the wonderful decision to appoint Dr. Awuzie who came first in the interview” He stated that the Rector is students friendly and they will support her to keep doing her good work. He cited several developmental projects initiated by the Rector including the student work aid programme, reduction of school fees, resuscitation of Polytechnic Press, reactivation of water factory, reactivation of Polytechnic bakery and confectionaries, among others.

He called on those attacking the Rector to desist from such because she has brought real transformation to the Polytechnic and deserves commendation and support not attack.