The lawmaker representing Isiukwato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon Nkeruika Onyejeocha, has urged the pioneer rector of the Federal Polytechnic Umunneochi, Dr. Paul-Darlington Ndubuisi, and his management team to write their names in gold with an astounding performance through prudence management of resources and high academic standards as the institution sets to kick off academy activities.
ALSO: Just In: Supreme Court Declares Lawan As Authentic Candidate Of Yobe North
Onyejeocha gave the charge yesterday in Abia State when she received in audience the principal officers of the Federal Polytechnic, Umunneochi, who came for a site inspection in preparation for the kick-of in academy activities.
The lawmaker who commended the management of the institution for the visit, thanked President Muhammedu Buhari and the Minister of Education for granting approval for the school which has so reached the completion stage at the temporary site.
ALSO: BREAKING: Bodies Of 2 Wives , 5 Children Of Taraba Monarch Killed By Kidnappers Recovered
She said: “I am happy that’s happening. I thank President Muhammedu Buhari and the Federal Ministry of Education. I thank the rector for hitting the ground running. I commend you and your principal officers to find time to come at the critical period.
“I try to go for the best in every thing I invest my effort in. I do not go of any middle class course. I want the best for the community and quality of the school and students will be used as a yardstick.
“I have appealed to management of the institution that we will not negotiate for anything below the best.
Onyejeocha further tasked the pioneer management team on prudent utilisation of resources, saying: “I encourage you to do the right things and make sure that you get the needed results. Make sure that people see the work equivalent of your allocation. Contract should be what it is and must reflect what is given”.
“You have come a long way, you have made your mark and I’m sure you won’t want to blue the line now. It’s the dream of anybody in your category to remain a rector, it’s something worth longing for. But do not let it diminish you.
“I have been in the House of Representatives. I have seen how things are done but I choosed not to be that way. And that’s why I have earned the confidence of my people. Because whatever is available to me, my people can see tangible achievements on ground. My records speaks for me. Systems have fought me not to return but because people can see what I have done, so it’s difficult for them to pull me down”
“Where you are today is just a step to higher grounds. Becoming a rector is not the highest grounds for those in academia. I pray that your records here will speak for you for. Remember I told you that, if you get it right here, other things would naturally follow.”
“This why you must strive to maintain high academic standards as rewards for the efforts and resources invested into establishing the institution.
“Thank you your assurance to hit the ground running and begin the process of hiring some of the best hands and set a template for a world class educational standard. With this in mind, our people will be gainfully employed and business activities will continue to grow by every expansion.
“For me, it’s a dream come through and I feel proud that this is happening now. Education is one of the most important ingredients for the economic and social developments of a society. It remains the main component of the construction of human capital.
“I have always said that It’s very difficult for any society to accomplish a successful economic progress if it does not prioritise investing sufficiently in education.
“All of these put together, plus skills acquisition has immense positive impacts on the wider Isiukwuato/Umunneochi social and economy life”, she said.
Fielding questions from journalists, the rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Paul-Darlington Ndubuisi, expressed the preparedness of his team to lay a solid foundation for new institution, saying, it is only by so doing will the future success of the institution be assured.
According to him: “the quality of the institute is our major interest. Ours is to get the best for this Polytechnic and that is very important, very strategic.
“But first we want to start by laying a solid foundation so that whatever is built on it in the future will stand.
“I am here to lay that foundation for this Polytechnic and it’s going to be a solid one. The best roads and best facilities in the country will be used to get it right.”
He emphasised the indispensability of character, competence and capacity in the achievement of the institution’s lofty objectives.
Dr Ndubuisi solicited for continuous financial supports to enable the team put finishing touches to preparations for the takeoff of academic activities.
He said: “Like I have mentioned earlier, its about capacity, its about competence, its about character for whoever that will help us to train the students.
“What I have seen here is good enough to start is good enough. While we’re asking for a little fund to put finishing touches on it. Because you have seen that there’s no seats yet.
“These are among the things that are needed before we can start and like I have said my intention is to ensure that this place is open for students.”
He said the good thing was that the funds are already injected in the 2023 budget.