New Fed Poly, Oko Rector promises conducive academic environment

Dr Francisca Nwafulugo, the first female Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra, says she will create a conducive academic environment for effective teaching, learning and research for both staff and students.

The rector made the pledge in Oko on Tuesday while addressing staff and students of the institution since assumption of office on March 5.

She said that there would be zero tolerance to cultism, truancy and other nefarious activities, assuring that her management would endeavour to meet all their academic needs.

“Priority attention shall be given to staff welfare which includes salaries, promotions and proper placement, transportation, housing, office accommodation and medical services.

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“We will continue to demonstrate zero tolerance for cultism in whatever shape or form in the polytechnic.

“We shall generate an active action plan toward maintaining a sustained peaceful co-existence among management, unions, staff, students and the host communities,” she said.

Nwafulugo said efforts would be made to create a one-off accreditation process for courses offered in the institution with the help of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

The rector also pledged to enhance research and improve entrepreneurship to make the institution provide a solution to Nigeria’s technological quest.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new Rector was appointed earlier in the month.

Nwafulugo, who was a lecturer at the Kaduna Polytechnic for 26 years, said she would use her knowledge and contacts within the system to position the polytechnic as one of the best of its contemporaries.

“I welcome you all to a new beginning that will be guided with equity, justice, sensitivity, discipline, accountability, morality, knowledge, credibility and visibility.

“My administration will, first of all, rededicate the polytechnic to God, because no one can do much without God; we will work toward a polished integrated educational structure.

“I will pursue enhanced research quality and reform the current research management by increasing the ability of our students’ research to address the problems faced by humanity.

“I hereby count on the support of the staff, students and the polytechnic community toward efforts to achieve our goals and make the institution the envy of other polytechnics and the cynosure of all eyes in the country,” she said.

Chief Lasby Amadi, Chairman Governing Council of the Polytechnic, described the emergence of Nwafulugo as`divine’ and urged the staff and students to accord her the necessary assistance to succeed.

Also speaking, former Acting Rector, Dr Izuchukwu Onu thanked the council for giving him the opportunity to act in that capacity.

Onu, who is now Deputy Rector, also appreciated the polytechnic community for helping him make an impact while he held sway.

He promised to work with the Rector in achieving her lofty objectives for the institution.