– Commissions New Ultra Modern Auditorium
The vicinity of the Imo State Polytechnic, Omuma, in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, was agog with activities on Friday, May 26, 2023 as the institution held it’s 42nd matriculation ceremony in grand style.
It was a very captivating event as the matriculating ND1and HND1 and students, academic staff and management dressed in different colours of beautiful and resplendent gowns marched in a procession from the Administrative building to the pavilion where the event held, to the admiration of parents, students and guests who came from far and near to felicitate with the matriculants who were expectedly in very high spirit.
The procession was very orderly as the Student Union Government (SUG) was led by Christopher Ogbonna.
The School of Agricultural Technology and School of Business and Financial Management were led by Stanley Mgbeahuru and Kenneth Anche respectively. The School of Engineering Technology and School of Environmental Design Studies were led by Chinazo Meshack and Dr Mrs Wisdom Odunze respectively, while the School of Science Technology was led by Obinna Iwuala. Members of the Academic/Administrative staff were led by Kingsley Owunezi while Heads of Departments/Units, all Deans/Directors were led by Ebenezer Ike.
The Rector’s procession which trailed behind was led by Mr U.P Iwuanyanwu who was the Mace Bearer.
The Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof Kanayo S. Chukwuka, in his speech at the occasion described the event as unique, because it was the first time the school was holding a matriculation ceremony under his watch, as Rector.
He said, ‘’It is my honour and privilege to welcome you to the 42nd matriculation ceremony of the Imo Polytechnic, Omuma, which marks the formal admission of 2022/2023 National Diploma (ND) 1 and Higher National Diploma (HND) 1 students into membership of the Polytechnic. I give glory to the Almighty God for His numerous blessings upon us and for granting us the grace to witness this occasion today. I thank our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Odidika Uzodinma, for giving me the rare privilege by appointing me as the Rector of this great institution. Indeed, I am co-celebrant with the matriculants today as I make my debut in presiding over matriculation in this institution.
Though, I am new in the capacity as Rector of the Polytechnic but as a citizen of Imo State who has spent more than three decades in the education sector, I am aware of the long-earned greatness of this Polytechnic which was the first accredited College of Agriculture in the country, and has since produced great intellectuals and champions of industries in Nigeria and beyond.
Notably, in the last two years the operational trajectory of this great institution experienced a change occasioned by the relocation of the main campus from Umuagwo to Omuma. The relocation came with a lot of challenges, but thanks to the responsiveness of our amiable Governor who has greatly abated these challenges as we are now swiftly building back for the better. Thus, through sustained support by the Imo State Government and robust engagements with some agencies of the Federal Government, the present Management of the Polytechnic is delivering new educational and infrastructural systems for enhanced quality education. In this direction, the construction of new hostels, administrative buildings, lecture theatres, workshops, laboratories, offices and other infrastructure are going on concurrently; of which, many are nearing completion.
Today, the Polytechnic Auditorium which was started and completed by the present Imo State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Odidika Uzodinma will be commissioned. The completion of the Auditorium is a milestone in the development stride of the Polytechnic because of its multipurpose function. Therefore, we thank our amiable Governor for this kind gesture. But like Oliver Twist, we are still asking for more of this kind gesture from our beloved Governor in infrastructural development and support as no investment is greater than human capital development. In line with the determination of His Excellency, our Governor, to build a greater Imo State Polytechnic, we shall leave no stone unturned to ensure that Imo State Polytechnic sustains its quality delivery and retains its big name among the comity of Polytechnics in Nigeria. Hence, to expand the choice and learning horizon of students, our Management, with the assurances and support of the Governor, is pursuing massive accreditation of our courses, as well as concluding arrangement for the introduction of new courses such as Fine and Applied Arts, Quantity Surveying, Architectural Technology among others.
Therefore, considering these and other good things not mentioned here, I urge you my dearly beloved students and matriculants to be assured that you are in the right place. Avail yourselves of the culture of discipline and quality education obtainable in this Polytechnic, and the peaceful atmosphere that characterizes Omuma and our other stakeholder communities to achieve success in your educational pursuit. The Polytechnic has zero tolerance for cultism, indecent dressing, examination practice, indiscipline and other forms of social vices. Avoid all kinds of distractions, that may prevent you from graduating in flying colours. Please, read the students handbook very well to know the details of the academic and moral requirements for your success in this institution, as the Management of the Polytechnic will not hesitate to deal appropriately with any student found culpable for misbehaviour.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof Johncliff Nwadike, who represented the Governor Hope Uzodinma at the occasion, assured the institution that the state government will carry them along in the scheme of things.
He also stated that staff of the institution will benefit from the regular promotion exercise which the state government has promised to embark on as and at when due.
He called for the formation of a Parent/Management Forum, which according to him, will enhance the exchange of ideas that will put the students on their toes because parents will, through a functional WhatsApp platform that will be created, be updated on the activities of their children and wards on request.
The Commissioner also urged management of the polytechnic to get in touch with the old students of the institution for the purpose of having a strong and effective Alumni Association that will contribute to the development of the polytechnic that made them who they are.
Prof Nwadike, also called on the management to ensure that the students don’t co-habits, stressing that it is a very dangerous trend that is capable of derailing their future.
The highpoint of the event was the commissioning of the well equipped ultra modern Auditorium by the Commissioner for Education, Prof Nwadike.
