Cheers As FEDPONEK Rector, Dr Igbokwe Interfaces With the Host Community and stakeholders…As indigenes applaud her vision

ThankGod EMEH…

Hitting the ground running with an unreserved call to serve on the assumption of office, the 9th Substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Dr. Mrs. Basilia Igbokwe, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, paid a highly powered courtesy visit to the host community, Umudibia Nekede, and critical stakeholders across the Polytechnic community.

The visit, which had the Management Staff and Key Officers of the Polytechnic such as the Deputy Rectors Academic and Administration, as well as the Registrar, Bursar and Librarian, among other dignitaries in attendance, was aimed at interacting with the community members to seek their support and counsel to have a unity of purpose going forward with Dr Igbokwe’s newly led administration.

Addressing the people, the Rector extolled the Traditional Ruler of Umudibia Autonomous Community, Eze Godwin Merenini (Dibia I), and the people of the community for their prayers, support, and counsel during and after the embattled Rectorship contest while assuring them of the polytechnic’s unalloyed resolve to give back to the community.

“Our Corporate social responsibility is for everyone: the men, the women, and the youths, and we will never take you for granted.

“The lives of the youths will, in one way or another, be touched for the sacrifices and support they showed during the Rectorship election. The youths were all for me; hence, I will not forget them”, Dr. Igbokwe assured.

Dr. Igbokwe, however, reiterated that heading the polytechnic will not be business as usual as contained in her vision and mission statements, hence calling on the people to be up and doing with works entrusted in their care, especially the youths.

The Rector equally advised the people to always allow peace to be the watchword for all, noting that the visit was to also harmonize disturbing issues of interest among community members, so everyone would be on the same page for even development, among others.

She also promised to sustain the relationship between the management and the host community, noting that she has appointed an indigene, Mr. Napoleon Onuoha and Engr. Duke Ugwuegbulam, as Coordinator to oversee the engagements between the Polytechnic and Community as well, to ensure timely interaction, input, and execution of projects and give all a sense of belonging in the community.

Speaking, the Traditional Ruler of Umudibia Autonomous Community, Nekede Owerri, Eze Godwin Merenini (Dibia I) alongside his Lolo, Ugoeze Chinyere expressed goodwill messages for the Rector, whom he declared confidence in her leadership prowess having walked the talks to change the ugly narratives of administration since assumption in office.

The Eze assuredly expressed his willingness to support and work with the Rector in her vision and mission, urging her to live up to the expectations of the students, staff, and community in areas of school fee reduction, welfare, Security, and accountability, among others.

Eze Merenini however, extended the prayers to the 15th Governing Council leadership and management of the polytechnic, charging them to work in harmony to achieve a round-the-clock success across boards.

The Traditional Ruler equally commended Dr. Igbokwe for her support to the community even before her Rectorship position, adding that the appointments of Umudibia indigenes are great pointers that she has come to serve with full responsibility while demanding more attention.

The President General of both the Men and Women wings of Umudibia Autonomous Community, Nekede Owerri, Rev Dr Jezzy Oziri and Lady Ijeoma Onyenobi while felicitating with the 9th Substantive Rector emphasized the need for security to be topmost in the polytechnic’s agenda to safeguard the projects and property of the institution to keep her legacies intact as they prayed and shared their goodwill messages
the women.

In the foregoing, the women’s wing decorated her with the community women’s wrappers to herald her acceptance into the community as they christened her “Daughter of Grace”

Moreover, the Youth leader of the Umudibia community, Hon. Kalu Onyekachi, thanked Dr. Basilia Igbokwe for her holistic initiatives, calling on her not to relent as he assured the Rector of the Youth’s support.

Accompanying the Eze at the visit were his cabinet members and key stakeholders in Umudibia Community who include Chief Don Larry Ugwuegbulem (Traditional Prime Minister),
Okenze Felix Emeana (Okenze 1 of Umudibia), Hon. Hyacinth Okoro, Mrs Eunice Eke (Chairperson Umudibia cabinet wives), Chief Eugene Ndukwu (Nkpoala 1 of Umudibia and the Chairman Royal Advisory Council), Hon. Nnamdi Cyril Anyanwu, Cabinet Christopher Okpe (Chief of Staff Umudibia Community), Comrade Martin Emenyeonu (Palace Secretary), Chief Chukwuma Ibekwe (Chimereze 1 and Past Youth Leader), Chief Raymond Irechukwu (Omeudo Umudibia), Cabinet Francis Ononugbo (Member Eze in council), Cabinet Hilarry Ononugbo (Member Eze in council), Cabinet Ignatius Unanka (Eze in council), Cabinet Obi Okere (Eze in council), Cabinet Patrick Onyenobi (Eze in council), and Cabinet Raphael Obiakor (Eze in council) and many more.