From Joseph Obukata, Warri
The outgoing rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Delta State, Prof. Emmanuel Apoyi-Ogujor, has officially handed over to his successor, Dr. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri.
In a ceremony held recently at the institution, Prof Apoyi-Ogujor assessed his performance after five years in the saddle and resolved that he was leaving the polytechnic better than he met it.
Speaking at the separate ceremonies, Prof. Apoyi-Ogujor reflected on his journey administrating over 12,000 students, over 500 staff and 300 ad hoc staff, attributing his successes to God and the huge support he got from academic, non-academic staff, the students and other critical stakeholders, including the polytechnic’s host community.
The outgoing rector thanked everyone who made his tenure a success, particularly the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who gave him the opportunity to serve, adding that the sacrifices of all stakeholders contributed to the feats achieved by the institution during his tenure.
Some of his achievements were 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 radio station for the Mass Communication Department, among others.
He said: “I want to thank, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for giving me the opportunity to serve. I didn’t know him any day and I never went to Asaba to appeal for fund throughout my tenure. We always got what was due to us. So, I want to appreciate him profusely.
“I want to specially thank the former governor, Chief James Ibori, for being a father to the polytechnic.
“I was a young man that left the classroom as a lecturer in the University of Benin to head this institution. It was a very good experience for me for five years. Sometimes, it was sweet, sometimes, it was bitter, but God gave me the grace to pilot the affairs of this institution.
“I want to thank everyone who contributed negatively because they helped us to work harder and I want to thank those who contributed positively because they helped us achieved the feat we attained. I want to also apologize for all those we offended in the course of achieving what we achieved here and doing the duties assigned to us.”
He, however, urged the incoming rector to give priority attention to the institution, urging him to carry everyone along in the task of piloting the affairs of the state-owned polytechnic.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, commended the former rector for the legacy he left behind in the polytechnic, assuring him that he would build on his achievements.
Ufuophu-Biri, however expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity given him to serve, saying that he wouldn’t disappoint all who reposed confidence on him.
‘I have accepted the presentation by the rector wholeheartedly. If someone had told me that I would today not being talking as an MC but as a rector I wouldn’t have believe it.
‘So therefore, I want to sincerely thank Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who gave me this opportunity and I want to also thank him most specially for the established three universities designed to caretaker for the needs of Deltans. It was a well thought out idea and I want to commend him for it.
‘I will try and keep to my mission and vision with what I met at the polytechnic. We will make good imprint not only on the sand of time but also on the stones of times.
‘We will establish America space in this polytechnic. We will establish an American-Nigerian scheme that will expose our students and staff to the outside world. Some of my contacts abroad where I am an Alumnus and other stakeholders have called to say they are ready to come over to help us turn things around. We will establish a lecturer/students welfare scheme. We will ensure cooperate social responsibility for the community and students.
‘I want to thank the former rector. You are leaving a big shoe for me and I prayed that my leg fit in properly to the shoe you’re leaving behind’.
Prof. Ufuophu-Biri said that he would ensure that the institution is reposition to attain an enviable height during his tenure, soliciting an unflinching cooperation of all stakeholders to achieve his vision for the institution.
He urged the students to be diligent, hardworking in their academic pursue and be law abiding so that none of them is expel or rusticated for vices inimical to the institution’s goals.
‘No lecturer must shout on students and no student must shout on lecturers. No students would be expelled or rusticated because I am sure we are law-abiding citizens, we must obey the law. We must not disobey the law. If you obey the law, shun all social vices there will be no room for a student facing any panel, if lecturers and staff do their work diligently there will be no room for query”, he posited.
Various speakers at the event including the chairman of Polytechnic Governing Council, Andrew Orugbo, the former chairman of the council, Chief Andy Asawota, Chief Duncan Ewhere, who represented former governor Chief Ibori among others eulogized the former rector on his laudable achievements and urged his successor to take the institution to a higher level.