By Uzor Ugwunze
Former Governor of the old Anambra State, Chief Jim Ifeayichukwu Nwobodo, who has been nominated for the prestigious Founder's Award, has accepted to grace Federal Polytechnic Oko for the Institution of the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida Annual Public Lecture.
According to a press release made available to newsmen by the National President, Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association, Nze Henry Nnebe, the alumni body, having considered the significant role played by the Elder Statesman towards the evolution of the citadel of learning, paid His Excellency Jim Nwobodo a visit on the 4th of December, inviting him for the 2023 Alumni Awards and the Institution of IBB Annual Lecture scheduled for 15th December 2023.
"The National President of Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association, Nze Henry Chukwuka Nnebe, in the company of former FPO Alumni President, Chief Oliver Ndu, and National Assistant Secretary Dr. Joseph Ogai, paid a courtesy visit to HE Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo to intimate him and invite him to grace the 2023 Alumni Award and the institution of IBB Annual lecture scheduled for 15th December 2023, which he gladly accepted to honor."
"HE Jim Nwobodo was the Governor who, in 1981, made Oko a Diploma-awarding institution, with the name College of Arts, Science, and Technology (CASTECH)."
"According to Nwobodo, education is the greatest asset you can give to a child, and as a teacher himself who knows the importance of education and knowledge, he prioritized it as a governor and established many institutions in the then old Anambra State."
"Among the institutions Nwobodo established are Anambra State University of Science and Technology, which has given birth to three universities, namely, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Enugu State University, and Ebonyi State University. While the College of Arts, Science, and Technology has metamorphosed into Anambra State Polytechnic and later Federal Polytechnic Oko."
"The State College of Education Eha Amufu he equally established has equally been taken over by the Federal government under the administration of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in 1993, the same time Anambra State Polytechnic Oko and many other institutions were taken over by the Federal Government to reflect Federal Character."
"Jim Nwobodo will be accorded a 'Founder's Award' with the same honor bequeathed to Late HE Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, who was the initiator of what is known today as Federal Polytechnic Oko."
"The kernel of what eventually became The Polytechnic was the brainchild of Oko Progressive Union (OPU), greatly catalyzed by the patronage, resourcefulness, and result-oriented leadership of its pioneer Chairman, a former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme GCON."
"At inception in 1979, the institution was approved by the Anambra State Government as a College of Arts and Science designed to prepare candidates for the General Certificate in Education (GCE) examination at both the ordinary and advanced levels."
"On June 28, 1980, Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, the Governor of the old Anambra State, upgraded the institution to the College of Arts, Science, and Technology, an elevation that made it more attractive to young school leavers who came in droves to seek a Diploma Certificate, which the college could award."
"The then Principal of the college, Mr. Ndu Lawrence, was elevated to Provost of the college. The coming of the military regime of Rear Admiral Alison Madueke as the Sole Administrator of the then Anambra State saw the college formalized as the Anambra State Polytechnic, Oko, through Edict No. 12 of 1985, published as a supplement to the Anambra State of Nigeria Gazette No. 24, volume 10 of June 27, 1984."
"His administration lured Prof. Clifford C. O. Ezeilo, a professor of Mathematics, to become the first Rector of the Polytechnic, and he laid a solid foundation for the Polytechnic."
"In 1993, the Anambra State Polytechnic, Oko, along with many other institutions across the country, was taken over by the Federal Government of Nigeria under the able and proactive leadership of Retired General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida to reflect federal character, and the institution was renamed Federal Polytechnic, Oko," it stated.
Post a Comment