Over the past few years, technical education at Federal Polytechnic Oko has experienced stunted growth, and the institution has been in a steady decline, losing its status as a benchmark for polytechnic education in Nigeria and its well-known nickname, “the Polytechnic of the Moment,” which it earned through best practices and excellent performance over the years.
In recent years, the polytechnic has lacked leadership with passion, innovation, and creativity, resulting in the institution’s failure to make the expected impact in the country.
Against this regrettable backdrop, as the institution seeks new leadership, there have been increasing calls to appoint a young, innovative, intellectual, and creative leader who can drive the institution’s vision in the coming years.
This is crucial because the institution cannot afford to make a leadership mistake at this point in its history, as it could signal the final demise of the once-glorious institution of practical learning.
It is important to note that in recent years, Federal Polytechnic Oko has faced issues such as poor and inadequate staffing, outdated and obsolete (analog) workshop and laboratory equipment, and other teaching aids.
Additionally, accreditation problems in key courses has affected learning, and some of the curriculum is outdated, failing to address the challenges and realities of a knowledge-based global economy or target the Millennium Development Goals.
The institution has also seen a low level of research due to poor management of limited funding, lack of incentives, and weak research knowledge among many teaching staff.
Examination malpractices of various types and magnitudes have blighted the quality of education, and there is a lack of public patronage or sponsorship for prototypes and research works.
There is a unidirectional movement of staff (especially academic) from polytechnics to universities abroad, weak institution-industry linkages, inadequate classrooms, insufficient student hostels, workshops, and other key facilities characterized by overcrowding.
Also, low ICT and recycled entrepreneurship education content, intractable class sizes, and increasing unethical/professional behavior among staff (academic and non-academic) is affecting the institution’s academic work.
These numerous problems have hindered the polytechnic’s growth in recent years, leading to calls for the appointment of a young, innovative, charismatic, intelligent, and experienced intellectual with the passion, drive, and zeal to change the institution’s dynamics and growth trajectory.
These calls also include a desire for an in-house candidate, someone who has been a lecturer at the polytechnic and understands its problems, as opposed to rectors appointed from other institutions who often lack knowledge of what the polytechnic needs and appear confused, making little recognizable impact during their tenure.
At this point, the name of Dr. Onyeka Uwakwe has continued to resonate. Known for his astute leadership, Dr. Uwakwe is a young, dynamic, innovative, intelligent, creative, zealous, and industrious man with years of experience and a traceable track record of efficient leadership at various levels.
He has served as President General of Ndi Okpalaeze Community, Head of the Mass Communication Department, Dean of the School of Information Technology, and Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), all at Federal Polytechnic Oko.
Adding to this, he is an in-house candidate who understands the challenges facing the polytechnic and who’s candidacy promises to redirect the institution from its decline to a path of growth.
If entrusted with the leadership, Dr. Onyeka Uwakwe has proven in various positions that he has the capacity to bring about many desirable transformations in the polytechnic, such as:
Proper utilization of funding with transparency, ensuring that funds are judiciously expended, as he did while he was Head of the Mass Communication Department.
Periodic curriculum reviews to align programs and courses with the dynamics of local, national, and international socio-economic environments.
Recruiting qualified and appropriate staff (academic and non-academic) and regular retraining to face new knowledge and work practice trends.
Providing adequate and modern equipment and facilities to enhance teaching, learning, and the quality of graduates.
Promoting aggressive research and development activities oriented to local, national, and international needs.
Objectivity and steadfastness in dealing with lecturers, staff exploiting and lowering the standard of learning in the institution.
Stimulating increased patronage for research products from the government, Nigerians, and organizations, challenging the institution to invent solutions for national or organizational problems.
Institutionalizing an effective reward or incentive system and improving conditions of service to promote hard work among students and staff.
Forging strong polytechnic-industry and inter-institutional linkages through mutually beneficial collaborations.
Strengthening internal and external mechanisms of quality control to ensure steady educational quality.
Injecting more ICT and entrepreneurship training into the syllabi of various programs and courses.
Establishing a center for research and practical work offering employment opportunities to students.
Ensuring vigorous enforcement of standards, principles, and rules, including class size and student-teacher ratio, and applying stringent sanctions, including rustication and prosecution, against student and staff cultists.
Hopes are high that if the Federal Government and the governing council of the institution appoint visionary and industrious Dr. Onyeka Uwakwe as the next rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, the fate and destiny of the institution will change for the better, and its glory days will return.
This opinion/article was written by Gozie Ofonze.
