The newly elected national executive of the Federal Polytechnic OKo Alumni Association was on Thursday 31st July 2025 inaugurated at the Alumni National Secretariat located in the Polytechnic. The inauguration was preceded by the commissioning of the 50 seater Prof. Ugochukwu C. Nzewi conference hall by the Rector, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie.
In her remarks at the inauguration ceremony, the Rector, Dr. Awuzie appreciated everyone who came for the event and charged the Alumni to defend their certificate. She described the malicious slander of the Polytechnic’s certificate by some people in the social media as a direct attack on the alumni who are beneficiaries of the certificate. She stated that this slander is wicked and unjustifiable. Dr.Awuzie mentioned that the FPO Alumni is made up of capable and distinguished personalities in different professions who are great ambassadors of the polytechnic; and urged them not to be silent in the face of unwarranted attack against the certificate of the Polytechnic. She reiterated that the Management will not relent in projecting the image of the polytechnic and called on the Alumni to join the Management in this task.
‘’I want to implore the Alumni to join hands with the Management to form a synergy. Let everything that is in the past be left behind. Let us embrace peace and harmony. Let us realise that a Rector is now on the seat and let us support her. Let us work together as one in order for this institution to be of high esteem in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the world at large”.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Alumni National President, Nze Henry Nnebe assured that the Alumni Association will defend the certificate of the Polytechnic. He stated ‘’Federal Polytechnic OKo is a foremost Institution in Mass Communication in Nigeria. 20% of practising journalists in Nigeria are from Oko Poly, 30% of Nollywood professionals in Nigeria are from OKo Poly, about 15% of those in social media are from Oko Poly’’. He therefore described those scandalising the certificate of Federal Polytechnic Oko as mischief makers who are only seeking cheap publicity. He however promised that the Alumni will address this squarely. Members of the inaugurated National Executive includes:
Nze Henry Nnebe – National President
Chief Henry Belonwu Onyekwelu – Vice President
Dr, Chiemelum Gbazue – National Secretary
Dr.Magnus Ubah – Assistant Secretary
Hon. Chidi Ikechukwu –National Publicity Secretary
Hon. Gabriel Nwafor – National Director of Treasury
Dr.Beatrice Ezechukwu- Welfare Secretary
Muonwe Emmanuel Oderah – National Director of Finance
Stephen Goodluck – National Protocol Officer.
In his acceptance speech, Nze Nnebe pledged to take the Alumni Association to the next level. He stressed that during his first tenure they stabilised the alumni and united it under a common platform. He also stated that they enacted a new constitution for the alumni which helped in galvanising the members together. He went further to assure that the alumni will work with the Polytechnic Management to take the polytechnic to new heights. Nze Nnebe reiterated that the Rector is making giant strides in the polytechnic and has the capacity to attract more developmental projects to the polytechnic. He therefore called on everyone to support her.
Prof. Ugochukwu Nzewi a former Rector of the Polytechnic who was honoured by the alumni appreciated the alumni for the honour done him and thanked everyone who came to be part of the event. He went down memory lane and concluded that the Institution has made substantial progress over the years. Prof. Nzewi revealed that due to his passion for teaching and impacting people, he had been teaching final year students in the Department of Accountancy and Department of Banking and Finance of the polytechnic free of charge following the expiration of his contract. He promised to continue to make his services available to the polytechnic.
The special guest of honour at the event, Prince Oforbike Okoli-Egbo opined that Federal Polytechnic Oko is a major landmark in Orumba and commended the Rector for her good works in the Institution. He promised to champion the call by the Rector for all stakeholders to join hands with her administration to move the polytechnic forward.
Other highlight of the occasion include the presentation of certificate of appreciation to the Rector by the Alumni Association. Principal officers of the polytechnic, deans and directors were present to grace the event. Other dignitaries who attended the event include the traditional ruler of Ufuma, Igwe Chika Uchime, Past leaders of the alumni association and many others.
