Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko has disclosed the plans of the management of the institution to unbundle the department of the Public Administration.
The Rector made the disclosure at polytechnic Auditorium on Thursday, August 7, 2025 during the second National Hybrid Conference organised by the department of Public Administration of the institution.
She further explained that the essence of the management’s bold initiative of unbundling and decentralising the department of Public Administration was to introduce interdisciplinary programmes to integrate government innovations, political communication and digital service delivery.
Rector, during her keynote address stated that Management has concluded arrangements for resource inspection and mounting of new programmes which include: National Diploma in Local Government and Administrative Studies, National Diploma in Crime Management, National Diploma in Law and Higher National Diploma in Human Resources Management.
Speaking on the theme of the conference; “Politics, Governance and Contending Issues in Nigeria”, the Rector, Dr. Chioma Awuzie described the theme as apt and called on the participants and conferees to view the theme with a clear intent to generate solutions for Nigeria’s national rebirth.
According to her, the theme reflects a national imperative to reclaim governance from those who engage political office and public resources to serve their interests instead of the needs of the people.
“This keynote address aimed to chat a path for reclaiming governance and restoring public confidence in Nigeria democratic future. It invites the conferees and other participants to engage in deep reflection and solution driven dialogue grounded in data and ethical responsibilities.”
She further stated that her administration formulated a 12 point development agenda for Federal Polytechnic Oko that is fully aligned with the renewed hope agenda of the federal government. According to Dr.Awuzie, by connecting national policy aspirations with local institutional actions,her keynote address aims to chart a path for reclaiming governance and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic future.
Also speaking, one of the Resource persons, Dr. Arum Nnenna Charity from Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State in her presentation, identified party politics and defections, corruption, unabated insecurity, problem of free and fair election, naira floating, fuel subsidy removal and leadership challenges as the major contending issues staring Nigeria on the face even as she recommended for strengthening of democratic institutions.
Earlier, the representative of the Head, Department of Public Administration, Mr Ferdinand Ekwealor appreciated the Rector, Dr. Chioma Awuzie, other principal officers, lead paper presenters, Prof. Odum Mbanefo from the Department of Public Administration, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam and his counterpart from Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba for their presence at the conference.
The Department of Public Administration led by the representative of the Head of Department , Mr. Ferdinand Ekwealor along with the lead paper presenters had prior to the commencement of the conference paid a courtesy call on the Rector in her office. They appreciated the Rector for her transformational leadership and pledged their support for her administration.
The LOC chairman of the conference, Dr.Ijeoma Aniemeka made emphasis on the relevance of the conference and invited the Rector and the Management team.
The Rector in her remarks welcomed the department and the lead paper presenters. She appreciated them for their support and solidarity and commended them for the initiative to organize the conference. She reiterated her administration’s zero tolerance for extortion of students and sexual harassment, urging every lecturer to align themselves with this policy, stating that any offender who is caught will be severally punished.
