The new Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Professor Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, has said that his administration will reposition the institution and improve the welfare of students and staff to create a conducive learning atmosphere.
The Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism from the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, made the promise in his acceptance speech during a handover/send-off and welcome ceremony at Chief Onanefe Ibori Auditorium, Otefe-Oghara, Delta State.
The alumnus of the University of Ibadan and outgoing Director, Pre-Degree Programme, DELSU, who thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the honour to serve, said that no student or staff would be unjustly rusticated, expelled or dismissed if rules were obeyed and mutual relationship between staff and students enhanced.
Ufuophu-Biri, who was a former Head of Department, Mass Communication and the Associate Dean of Students’ Affairs of DELSU, harped on encouraging self-development and promotion as and when due among staff, saying that a motivated staff will be effective and productive.
“I will meet with different bodies within the institutions for us to interact on staff and students’ welfare.
“A well-motivated staff is more active in labour and will lead to better productivity. I want staff who will interact with the international community.
“Why do you think they are saying some schools are the best or are better than others? They are considered the best because of the quality of staff that they have.
“When you don’t have good staff, you can’t have best students. So, students should always see the staff as father and mother figures.
“No staff will be dismissed, reprimanded or sacked. I want to see more lecturers promoted. Once you are due for promotion, you will be promoted. We are not here to take away bread from you,” he said.
He commended the outgoing rector, Professor Emmanuel Apoyi-Ogujor, for the legacy he left behind, assured him that he would build on his achievements.
Earlier in his remarks, Professor Apoyi-Ogujor, after assessing his performance of five years in the saddle, said he was leaving the institution better than he met it.
He reflected on his management of over 12,000 students, over 500 staff and 300 ad-hoc staff, attributing his successes to God and the support from both academic, non-academic staff, students and the polytechnic community.
He thanked Okowa for the opportunity to serve, adding that the sacrifices of all stakeholders contributed to his achievements in his tenure which included the ranking of the institution as Number Seven in the country, overall best in Delta State, establishment of a water factory, ultramodern auditorium and establishment of an FM station for the Department of Mass Communication, among others.
and then