Oko Poly rector assures timely promotion of non-teaching staff

The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, on Friday assured non-teaching staff of the institution that those due for the 2027 promotion exercise would enjoy timely promotion and improved welfare.

Dr. Awuzie gave the assurance while addressing staff shortly after they successfully completed their promotion examinations conducted at the polytechnic.

Represented by the Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Amobi Chiamaogu, the Rector said the institution had fast-tracked the staff promotion and appraisal process to ensure it is captured in the next year’s budget.

According to Dr. Chiamaogu, Dr. Awuzie reviewed previous promotion and appraisal exercises in the polytechnic and observed that promotions were often implemented outside the appropriate budget cycle.

He said, “In view of this management deemed it necessary to accelerate the process to ensure timely completion and proper budgetary capture, so that staff will no longer be subjected to delays in the payment of arrears.”

He reaffirmed the Rector’s commitment to staff welfare, professional growth, and a fair and transparent advancement process within the institution.

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“She deeply appreciates the dedication and contributions of our non-teaching staff and views this examination as an important avenue for career advancement and institutional strengthening,” he stated.

Dr. Chiamaogu also urged staff to remain diligent in their duties and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, stressing that the administration maintains zero tolerance for corruption.

He explained that the 2027 early promotion exercise was introduced as a strategic initiative to ensure promotion benefits are fully integrated into the salary structure and to eliminate prolonged delays in the payment of arrears.

Chairman of the 2027 Non-Teaching Staff Appraisal and Promotion Committee, Comrade Inno Okeke, said the Rector had introduced a proactive approach to staff promotion in the institution.

“Usually, in other tertiary institutions, unions approach the chief executive to request the implementation of promotions for a particular year. However, in our institution, it is the chief executive that engages the unions to initiate the promotion process, sets up a committee, and announces a timeline for the interview,” he said.

Comrade Okeke described the Rector as a leader committed to positioning the polytechnic as a model institution among polytechnics in Nigeria.

The Polytechnic Registrar, Mr. Ayoola Akeem, represented by Dr. Bananas Nwafor, appreciated the Rector for her resolve to eliminate promotion arrears and commended the committee for conducting a seamless exercise.

Also speaking, the branch chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), Comrade Chukwunonso Ndubuisi, described the exercise as a landmark achievement, noting that it was the first time the Federal Polytechnic Oko was conducting a promotion examination at the appropriate time.

Similarly, the branch chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Comrade Emmanuel Okolie, praised Dr. Awuzie’s commitment to staff welfare and career advancement.

He described the 2027 promotion examination as highly successful and commended the committee for ensuring due process, fairness, and transparency throughout the exercise.