From Henrietta Ashikodi, Umuahia
The Management of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba (formerly Abia Poly), is set to relocate to it’s permanent site in Osisioma which will birth the commencement of 2025-2026 academic session
. Even as it notes that all 33 courses of the institution have been accredited.
The Rector, Dr Christopher Okoro, revealed this when the new Executive of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists,(NUJ), Abia State, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Aba.
He hinted that the state government has cleared 36-month salary arrears, with full accreditation of all the courses in the Poly.
The Rector reiterated that under governor Otti, welfare of staff is given top priority.
“We are not just student-centered, we are also staff centered. Our staff members have been taken care of. All their arrears of salaries have been cleared.
“We came on board having 36 months’ salary but the Governor has supported us to clear these areas as we no longer owe any lecturer”.
The Rector said that the institution which was deregistered by the National Board for Technical Education, (NBTE), about three years ago, had gained full accreditation for all its 33 programmes with additional 17 new programmes.
The Rector hinted that governor Otti, ensured that staff members who were not promoted since 2008-2012 have been promoted up to 2022, and the second phase of promotion will take to 2025.
Adding that Otti has paid the debt he did not owe.
He made it clear that they have outlawed the sale of handouts in the institution to stop exploitation of students adding also that management had also abolished the issuance of statement of results to make things easy for students.
“Students are no longer compelled to buy textbooks. Those things were things of the past. Sale of handouts is outlawed.
“We have digitalized the processes to ensure things are done the right way. We have abolished the issuance of Statement of Results.”
“How will a student finish up after five years and you give the person paper and call it Statement of Results? And then the person will carry it, probably pay for the clearance; and come back after years for certificates and you still collect money again from the same person, and start looking for the files again? I said no!
“Upon graduation, students should be given certificates. And these certificates have QR codes. So, they are verifiable anywhere. Once an employer scans this QR code, it directs to Registrar and Rector. The holder’s name will appear. We will reply whether or not the person is our product..
“Management had made it easy for students to obtain their results without passing through the lecturers to avoid exploitation.
“Once exam is over, all results must be uploaded six weeks after examination. Four weeks for those of them in finals, and six weeks for the rest. So, students don’t need to go and meet the lecturer”.
“All the programmes here have been accredited. NBTE also granted approval for 17 new programmes,
He named some of the new programs as Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Machatronics Engineering, Fashion Design Technology, Leather Technology, Fashion Design Technology. Dr. Okoro added that. Aba is known for fashion and design, noting that there is no way we can have Aba and not have fashion and leather.
“This Polytechnic is the first in the whole Southern Nigeria to have Leather Technology as a Department. This institution is also the first Polytechnic in Nigeria to have Artificial Intelligence as a department. We know the times and we will work ahead of others.”
The Rector thanked governor Otti attributing the institution’s success stories to him stating that he thinks not just for now but for the future.”
He appreciated the Governor for awarding the construction of internal roads on the campus including its permanent site at Osisioma. Okoro noted that the governor has approved the construction of two hostels of 5,000 capacity each for male and female students at the Osisioma campus, and construction of standard auditorium and iconic administrative block building.
The Rector congratulated members of the new Correspondents Chapel executive for their emergence and described journalism profession as integral part of society and their members important stakeholders for democracy to thrive.
He expressed confidence that the new leadership of the Chapel would succeed considering the antecedents of its membership.
Speaking earlier, the new Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Deacon Steve Oko, disclosed that the visit was to elucidate on the activities of the chapel, and explore ways of symbiotic relationship between it and the institution.
Describing the Rector as a phenomenal agent of change, and transforming the institution from obscurity to stardom.
He, therefore, urged him to sustain the tempo, and to maintain a harmonious working relationship with other members of the management team as well as the staff of the institution.
Discover more from The STATESMAN Newspaper
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Post Disclaimer
THE STATESMAN NEWSPAPER make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the stories hereon as the statements are purely of the news makers.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from THE STATESMAN NEWSPAPER.
Contact:
