AWKA—PROFESSOR Godwin Onu, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic,
Oko, Anambra State was recently honoured with three awards in recognition of
his contributions towards the growth of the polytechnic and service to
humanity. The occasion was indeed a celebration of sort as eulogies were poured
on the man, popularly described, as Digital Rector among students and workers
of the polytechnic.
The awards came from the United
States of America, USA, chapter of the Oko Polytechnic Alumni Association, the
Aguata Students Association and Orumba South Students Association.
Among achievements credited to
Professor Onu since he assumed office as Rector of the Polytechnic by those who
gave him the awards, include massive infrastructure development of the
institution,
sanitising the academic environment
such that Oko Poly has become a no-go area for cult activities, introduction of
computer–based examinations, expansion of academic programmes in the three
campuses of the polytechnic and facilitating linkage programmes with renowned
tertiary institutions abroad.
President of USA branch of the
alumni association, Mr. Baron Luggard, said during the presentation that the
former students of the polytechnic began to have interest in the development of
Oko Poly because of the excellent leadership qualities which Onu had exhibited
over the years.
According to him, the alumni
association in the Diaspora made it a point of duty to visit the polytechnic
every year to interact with the management with a view to finding out areas
they could be of assistance, adding that Onu has cooperated with them in their
annual home-coming.
He said that it was because of the
marvellous work the Rector was doing in the school that informed their decision
to donate large quantities of books in all fields of learning, computers and
other items. He said: “We have taken time to review developments at Oko
Polytechnic and we believe that if somebody is working very hard, he deserves
commendation. By this award, we are appreciating your contributions towards
improvement of knowledge in this part of the world.”
To the Orumba South Students
Association, which happens to be Onu’s local government, the award was to
encourage him to continue to make his people proud by doing more. “We want to
appreciate you for being the first son of Orumba South to be appointed Rector
of a polytechnic and the first son of Ezira to become a professor,” the
students said before presenting their award.
In the same manner, the Aguata
Students Association said Onu will be remembered for turning Oko Poly around
and improving the image of the institution such that it is the most sought
after polytechnic in the country by those seeking admission into polytechnics
in the country.
In his speech, Onu, who was elated
by the awards, expressed joy that some people somewhere were recognising his
little contributions to make Oko Polytechnic one of the best in the country. He
said: “Before assuming this office, I wrote my mission statement and I thank
God that we have been striving to build a modern polytechnic within the limits
of available resources.
“Most of the funds we use here are
generated through our personal efforts, particularly monies donated by our
friends and we always ensure that we use the money judiciously so as not to
disappoint those who made the donations.”
The Rector said that in addition to
developing the permanent site at Oko where over 15 high rise buildings and a
magnificent auditorium have been built, the Polytechnic Library, which is one
of the biggest in any tertiary institution in Nigeria, would soon be completed.
source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/triple-honours-for-prof-godwin-onu-oko-poly-rector/
