I can’t drive luxury car when my students ‘ve no lecture halls- Ogbonnaya Onu Poly Rector
* Narrates how be transformed institution in 6 months
By Steve Oko
The Rector, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba (formerly Abia Polytechnic Aba), Dr Okoro Christopher Kalu, has said that he used the funds earmarked by his predecessor for the acquisition of luxury car for the Rector, to build a lecture theater for his students.
According to him, it makes no sense for him as the Rector to cruise around with luxury car when his students have no classroom conducive for learning.
Dr Kalu who said his mission was to restore the institution to its glory days and accomplish the dreams of the founding fathers, disclosed how he is
implementing a multi-dimensional
approach focusing on
infrastructure transformation,
academic excellence, and
character-moulding to reshape the
institution’s landscape and restore
its reputation.
implementing a multi-dimensional
approach focusing on
infrastructure transformation,
academic excellence, and
character-moulding to reshape the
institution’s landscape and restore
its reputation.
The Rector who disclosed this while giving a scorecard of the Management under his watch, said that the institution had witnessed massive transformation since he came on board in March 2024.
He said:”When I came on board, their money had already been
mapped out for them to acquire a luxury car for the Rector. But I rejected it, and to me, I cannot drive a luxury car when my students have no classroom. So, I rechanneled that particular fund through the advice of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti. And today, we have a lecture theatre being built in the institution.”
mapped out for them to acquire a luxury car for the Rector. But I rejected it, and to me, I cannot drive a luxury car when my students have no classroom. So, I rechanneled that particular fund through the advice of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti. And today, we have a lecture theatre being built in the institution.”
“Just weeks ago, we’ve been able to award a contract through TETFund for us to use the normal intervention fund for
construction of a 350-capacity lecture
theatre, the first lecture theatre in Abia
Polytechnic after 32 years.”
theatre, the first lecture theatre in Abia
Polytechnic after 32 years.”
He disclosed that the Management under his leadership, had also attracted a lot of funds for infrastructural development.
“Based on infrastructure, we’ve been able to attracta lot of funds for equipment upgrade. As of today, we have funds for us to upgrade equipment on campus.
“When I came on board, none of the
equipment attracted by that fund from
2011 to date had been installed. But
under my administration, as of today,
all of the equipment has currently been
installed, making sure that students have
access to facilities.
equipment attracted by that fund from
2011 to date had been installed. But
under my administration, as of today,
all of the equipment has currently been
installed, making sure that students have
access to facilities.
“As of today also, for all the principal
officers, by the time I came on board, no
classroom was tiled in the institution. As
of today, all of them are tiled. When I
came in as Director, there was only the
Directors’ office that was tiled for the
principal officers. As of today, all of
them have been tiled so that they will
be able to sit down and work.”
officers, by the time I came on board, no
classroom was tiled in the institution. As
of today, all of them are tiled. When I
came in as Director, there was only the
Directors’ office that was tiled for the
principal officers. As of today, all of
them have been tiled so that they will
be able to sit down and work.”
Still on infrastructure, he said:
“When I came on ground, we had the
science block donated by TETFund not
being used. The building has about four
floors, giving us about 36 classrooms,
laboratories inclusive. I approached His
Excellency, and he graciously approved funds. And today, that place is completed.
“When I came on ground, we had the
science block donated by TETFund not
being used. The building has about four
floors, giving us about 36 classrooms,
laboratories inclusive. I approached His
Excellency, and he graciously approved funds. And today, that place is completed.
“We have built 19 laboratories, and we
have equipped all the classrooms to
world standards. Most of them have
gas piping, electrical conduits, and all
the rest. And we also have been able
to equip the offices there, about 22
offices. We equipped them with state
of-the-art standards.
have equipped all the classrooms to
world standards. Most of them have
gas piping, electrical conduits, and all
the rest. And we also have been able
to equip the offices there, about 22
offices. We equipped them with state
of-the-art standards.
The Rector further narrated how he is expanding the academic programmes of the institution, disclosing that within six months, 14 new courses have been introduced.
“On academics, we’ve been able to introduce a total of 14 new courses: Mechatronics.
We’ve unbundled Computer Science to
have those four courses in Computer
Science. We’ve added artificial
intelligence, cybersecurity, data
network, and the rest of them.
We’ve unbundled Computer Science to
have those four courses in Computer
Science. We’ve added artificial
intelligence, cybersecurity, data
network, and the rest of them.
“We have also unbundled mass communication
to have media and journalism. We
have also introduced courses like
robotics, mechatronics, agriculture and
biotechnology engineering.
to have media and journalism. We
have also introduced courses like
robotics, mechatronics, agriculture and
biotechnology engineering.
“We’ve also introduced taxation,
cooperative economics. And then, we’re
presenting all our courses that have
lost accreditation as of about 2021. We
are also going for accreditation, full
accreditation of those courses, and we
believe with the level of preparation we
have today, and with the support of Dr.
Alex Otti, we are rest assured that we are
going to come out successful 100 percent.
cooperative economics. And then, we’re
presenting all our courses that have
lost accreditation as of about 2021. We
are also going for accreditation, full
accreditation of those courses, and we
believe with the level of preparation we
have today, and with the support of Dr.
Alex Otti, we are rest assured that we are
going to come out successful 100 percent.
“Still on academics, we’ve been able to
unbundle the admissions. Before now,
students didn’t have their files in their
departments. Everything starts and ends
at the admission office. No, that’s not
the standard practice across the world.
unbundle the admissions. Before now,
students didn’t have their files in their
departments. Everything starts and ends
at the admission office. No, that’s not
the standard practice across the world.
Today, we’ve been able to make sure
that our students start the process from
that our students start the process from
Department to the schools, that is the
College, and then to the Admissions
office.”
College, and then to the Admissions
office.”
The Rector who said that prior to his appointment, N9 million was being spent monthly on diesel, disclosed that the institution had been enjoying steady power supply through the assistance of some patriotic and public -spirited Abians.
He acknowledged that the various successes recorded so far in the institution were made possible through the unprecedented support of Gov. Otti who, according to him, is in a hurry to see the prestigious institution regain its enviable position.
Dr Kalu promised that the institution would witness more developments in the months ahead urged students and staff to key into the on-going efforts to restore the glory days of the institution.
Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria. 
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