The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie has recognised and awarded staff who had shown exceptional qualities. They include: Mr.Ugochukwu Onuigbo who was honoured with the most hardworking staff award, Mr. Fidelis Alor who was honoured with the most dedicated staff award and Mrs Victoria Okoma who received the most committed staff award. The award was presented to the deserving staff during the lecture marking Dr.Awuzie’s 100 days in office at the school auditorium.
Presenting her address at the event, the Rector stated that staff who had exhibited exceptional qualities deserve to be honoured in order to motivate them and revealed that the staff award will be an annual event. The staff award is in line with staff welfare which is one of Rectors 12 key point agenda.
Dr. Awuzie reiterated that she is prepared to serve the best interest of staff and students of the polytechnic. According to her “my aspiration and eventful assumption of this office was not borne out of personal ambition but a genuine call to serve, a call to rebuild trust, strengthen academic excellence, build infrastructure and restore the dignity and pride of our polytechnic” She further stated “today, we are laying a solid foundation to reposition Federal Polytechnic Oko as a beacon of academic innovation, technical and entrepreneurial distinction and administrative integrity”
While acknowledging that leadership is not a solitary venture, Dr.Awuzie called for synergy and support from all stakeholders even as she pledged to run an inclusive administration. She stated that she met a plethora of challenges in the polytechnic when she took over but was not deterred, rather she swung into action to turn the tide around, and in 100 days has made significant impact.
In his speech, the representative of Director of Polytechnic Education and Allied Institutions Federal Ministry of Education, Ango Jacob Umoru a Deputy Director in the ministry congratulated the Rector on her appointment and commended her for her giant strides in the polytechnic. He reiterated the commitment of government to reposition educational institutions as centres of excellence that will produce highly skilled, competent and innovative graduates who can compete globally and contribute meaningfully to national development.
He made known that the Federal Ministry of Education will support Federal Polytechnic Oko to upgrade infrastructure, expand capacity and improve academic standards. The Rector later led Deputy Director Ango Umoru, governing council members and invited guests to the commissioning of projects. Projects that were commissioned include: staff sports club/guest house, polytechnic press and security posts 1, 2 and 3. The Senator Barnabas Gemade medical centre and skill development centre had earlier been commissioned by the governing council chairman, Senator Engr Barnabas Gemade OFR. Dr.Awuzie also led the team to inspect the reactivated Polytechnic table water factory and sachet water factory respectively as well as the reactivated polytechnic bakery.
