FEDPONEK: Cheers as Dr. Igbokwe Assumes Office …As Staff, Poly Community Aligns With Visions, and Mission Statements

ThankGod EMEH…

The embattled and long-awaited inauguration of the 9th Substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Dr. Basilia Nkem Igbokwe has come and gone but notwithstanding the resonating jubilation and cheering atmosphere, that characterized the environment as she assumed office with 11-clear point vision, and mission statements to give the institution an all-round facelift.

The epoch-making event which was held at the 1000-Capacity Auditorium of the Institution on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 had dignitaries from far and wide, who graced the occasion including the Deputy Government of Imo state, Barr. Mrs. Chinyere Ekomaro, the Chairman of the 15th Governing Council of the institution, Chief Henry Ikoh, Principal Officers, Dean of Schools, Head of Departments, Head of Divisions and Units, Labour Leaders, Corporate Organizations, Staff, Students and gentle men of the press, among others.

The Governing Council Chairman Chief Henry Ikoh and the Deputy Governor, Barr Chinyere Ekomaro

L-R: The 25th Governing Council Chairman, Chief Henry Ikoh; the Deputy Governor of Imo state, Barr Chinyere Ekomaro and 9th Substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Dr Mrs Basilia Igbokwe and others.

Welcoming the 9th Rector to the institution earlier, took an overwhelming procession and cheering roadshow as she was triumphantly received from Naze junction in convoys of management, staff, students and well wishers with flag stops to herald her victory and entrance.

In her address, the Newly inaugurated 9th Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Mrs. Nkem Basilia Igbokwe said she “has come with all sincerity of purpose, justice and fairness, to render exemplary service of dedication and
commitment to the best ideals of the founding fathers of Federal Polytechnic Nekede”

Dr Igbokwe addressing the polytechnic community

Dr Igbokwe outlined her 11-point agenda, mission and visions to include dedication to God Almighty, Cleanliness of environment, holistic Staff welfare, open door policy, Reviewing school fees, reviving IGR projects as well as upholding good principles of dress code for staff and students, among others adding that she has come to right the wrongs in the system over the years.

She however called on all and sundry to join her Redemption administration to “salvage the Institution from apathy, dereliction of duty, rancor, and malfeasances of all forms” while urging all staff to be up and
doing, as “lateness, truancy and absenteeism will not be condoned”

She postulated aggressive drive to revive and re-energize the Table Water and Tissue paper outfits now moribund. In furtherance of her revamp mission, she identified The TEDC has immense potential to bloom, stressing that the products of the Institution’s bread factory that were once the toast of Imo State have surprisingly disappeared from the shelves, hence the Rector summed up that these were avenues which are certain to yield appreciable revenue for the Institution, adding that “We shall resuscitate them all”

Dr. Mrs. Basilia Igbokwe echoed that “No nation is an island unto itself. So are organizations. Our linkages system is already competent and vibrant. We shall endeavor to do more to make a more positive impact on the National and International communities to open vistas of existential opportunities for our staff and students”.

The Rector also noted that “We owe a duty of friendliness and service to our host community, Umudibia, who have been so friendly and accommodating through successive administrations. We salute the integrity and leadership acumen of His Royal Majesty, Eze Godwin Merenini, Dibia 1. Your Royal Highness, my administration shall endeavor to sustain that good relationship that has existed for ages between the Polytechnic Community and our host community.

“My administration shall have zero tolerance to all acts or incidents of untoward behavior and aberrations to decent rules of social engagements in this institution. Our goal is to engage ourselves in comported and decent behavior at all times in discharging our duties to our dear institution.

The new Rector also assured the people that her administration shall seek to consider a holistic review of various fees charged to the Students with a view to determining the possibility of reducing some.

Dr Mrs. Basilia Igbokwe stressed that the unfolding tenure of her administration will usher in more detailed commitments, in addition to her Eleven-point agenda, in the service of the Institution, hence she appealed to the Polytechnic Community and good friends of the institution to join her to rebuild, rehabilitate and reinvigorate
our School.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the Governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodimma, represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr Chinyere Ekomaro while congratulating the new Rector, extolled the staff, management, and the polytechnic community for their choice of the new Rector, adding that Dr. Basilia Igbokwe is a trailblazer whose assumption in office shall restore the lost glory of the institution and as well birth new heights for the entire community.

Barr. Ekomaro noted that the polytechnic is in for a holistic and envious transformation having been one of the premier polytechnics in Nigeria known for quality education, and excellent innovation hence urged Dr. Igbokwe to hit the ground running with her Redemption initiatives and wealth of experience in the academia.

Adding his voice, the Former Dean of Studies School of General Studies, Dr. Saint Christopher who described the Rector, Dr Basilia Igbokwe as a dogged fighter and go-getter stressed that she is a beacon of hope for both staff and students to change the ugly narratives of corruption and impunity which had held down the polytechnic in the past.

Others who spoke at the inauguration including the current Dean of School of General Studies, the leaderships of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Federal Poly Nekede Chapter; the Federal Polytechnic Nekede Women Staff Association, FEDPONEK Student Union Government as well as friends and well wishers expressed happiness that Dr Igbokwe came at the right time when the polytechnic community is yearning for an integral positive change while urging the Rector not to be deterred by works of disgruntled elements working against her.

While the Women Staff Association expressed total confidence in the leadership of the new Rector to deliver on expectations having held critical positions and spoken up for the voiceless in the past including students, the students roundly echoed that the “Messiah” has landed to salvage the institution.

Also, parents who could not contain their joy over the development owing to incessant testimonies of the person and personality of Dr Igbokwe from their children and wards who are students and alumnus of the great Citadel of learning, thanked God for bringing a relief to them.

Concerned residents, and business owners were not left out in the show of solidarity as they danced and prayed for a successful and impactful tenure of Dr Basilia Igbokwe as her convoy passed by.

The Polytechnic Community was however super-charged with excitement, accolades and goodwill messages for the newest and 9th Substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nekede for going through the crucibles of the election and emerging victorious at the end of the day.

It was also gathered that no Rector has enjoyed such reception in recent times, hence Dr. Mrs. Basilia Igbokwe is a trailblazer and a woman of the people.