– Says Peace, Transparency Restored In The Institution
-Wants Him Confirmed Substantive Rector
A Combined delegate team of leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) from the South/South and South East Geo-political Regions along with Presidents of Students Union Governments (SUGs) in all the tertiary institutions in Imo State, on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, stormed the campus of Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, where they bestowed an Honourary award of excellence on the Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. P.N Njoku for restoring peace, decency and transparency in the institution with a passionate appeal to the Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, to hasten up and confirm the appointment of the Rector to a substantive position, to enable him continue with his good works.
The remarkable event which took place at the Senate Chambers of the Polytechnic, yesterday had in attendance the apex leadership of the students body, the past and present SUG Presidents in Imo and some executive members from the South/South and South East states led by the Zone B Co-ordinator of NANS, Comrade Godson Okereke (Aluta Bishop).
Speaking at the occasion, Comrade Okereke said that the mission of the delegation to Imo State Polytechnic was to commend, honour and appreciate the Acting Rector, for the single gesture of ensuring that peace and transparency return to the college inspite of numerous challenges, including sabotage posed by the former administration that instituted a sit-tight administration over the institution through Rev. Fr. (Dr) Wence Madu.
The co-ordinator observed that before now, the Imo Polytechnic Umuagwo was ridden with crises every now and then which invariably affected academic calendar of the college, adversely as there were disagreements between the lecturers and management which in turn affected the students, often leading to strike action.
The former FUTO SUG President expressed satisfaction with report from stakeholders, some of who are lecturers in the institution and this he said was evidenced by the presence of some members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, led by Dr Desmond Echeta during the visit.
He declared that it was the peace, understanding, transparency and harmonious existence that now reign in the polytechnic community that moved the students to honour the Rector,contending that it is only when there is harmony between Rector and students, will there be academic progress.
Bishop Okereke frowned at the rate of sabotage by those who wanted the institution to be perpetually under their leadership, stating categorically that Nigerian Students will not tolerate any attempt by anybody to frustrate the plans and good intentions of the present administration led by Dr Njoku.
He also rated Imopoly as the cleanest Institution in the entire South East.
Responding after receiving the award from the students’ body, Dr. Njoku commended NANS for finding him worthy for such award within his brief stay in the office.He stated that he is excited with the award of excellence which was premised on the fact that the school is peaceful now while dedicating same to staff of Imopoly who joined hands to change the face of Imopoly for good.
Njoku said that, “no doubt we have challenges but we are optimistic that with the present state government of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, who has shown that education takes top priority in his Rebuild Imo Agenda, the institution will turn out to be one of the best administered state polytechnics in the zone”.
On students and lecturers relationship, Njoku disclosed that this is the first time in the history of the college that management made it public that it had no interest in students union government elections and kept to their promise by not interfering in election and choice of students and the election was adjudged the freest and most transparent.I will continue to support the students union government”.
Among those present at the occasion were the Polytechnic Registrar, Mrs. Sussan Njemanze, the Chief Accountant, Mr Michael Nwokike, the Bursar, Mr Linus, the Chief Security Officer and the IMOPOLY Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) Desmond Echeta, who also gave the vote of thanks at the event and host of others.
