Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko has been honoured by the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) with the national outstanding performance award as the OUTSTANDING RECTOR IN NIGERIA FOR THE YEAR 2026.
The award was presented to the Rector at the 46th senate sitting of NAPS held at the Federal Polytechnic Oko with the theme: “Prioritizing local Industries in Nigeria, a case study of Polytechnic education”
The Rector was also conferred with the title of HONORARY LIFE COMRADE by NAPS, a recognition that qualifies her to attend any NAPS gathering with the liberty to make contributions or proffer advice to the Nigeria Polytechnic students’ body.
In her acceptance, Dr. Awuzie appreciated NAPS for the recognition, expressing her continuous support to the association and intention to continue to promote the welfare of students.
Earlier in her welcome address, Rector, Dr. Awuzie welcomed the students body to the institution, urging them to engage meaningfully in their deliberations and propose practical solutions and contribute ideas that will strengthen the link between education and industry for the benefit of our nation.
She described the theme of the meeting as apt, asserting that “Polytechnic education remains a critical driver of technical capacity, innovation and industrial growth in Nigeria”.
She hinted at the nexus between polytechnic education and the sustainability of local Industries as she believes that “It is through institutions like ours that practical skills are developed to support and sustain local Industries”.
Dr. Awuzie stated that the institution was proud to host the association and wished them a successful senate sitting . She consequently declared the meeting open.
The Senate President of NAPS, comrade Festus Oyewumi in his address, appreciated the Rector for hosting them.
He described polytechnic education as the backbone of technology and national development as no country grows technologically on theories alone.
“New development comes from practical skills, innovation and technical knowledge and that is exactly what Polytechnic represents” he said
Comrade Oyewumi hinted that polytechnic education holds practical solutions to economic challenges and opined that Polytechnic education must be taken seriously to guarantee sustainable technological growth.
“You can’t build industries without skilled hands and you cannot get skilled hands without strong Polytechnics” he asserts.
He highlighted some of the challenges facing Polytechnic education to include: poor funding, lack of infrastructure, obsolete equipment and discrimination against polytechnic graduates in the job market.
He therefore called on the government to ensure the provision of laboratories and workshops, support innovation and technical research as well as create policies that will abolish discrimination against polytechnic graduates.
“If you empower Polytechnic students, you empower Nigeria to produce, to innovate and to grow” he said.
The Dean Student Affairs, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Comrade Chibuzor Asomugha was recognized at the event as champion of students welfare and consequently honoured as the MOST FRIENDLY DEAN, STUDENTS AFFAIRS.
The meeting attracted the National President of NAPS, Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan and other executive members, Past NAPS Presidents, SUG Presidents across the country and other stakeholders.
