Oko Poly Crisis: Ex-Rectors Urge Management, Alumni to Sheathe Swords, Embrace Dialogue

By Praise Chinecherem

Former Rectors of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Prof. Godwin Onu and Engr. Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo, have called for peace and dialogue between the management of the institution and its alumni association amid a brewing dispute over the association’s activities.

The former Rectors made the appeal during the 40th anniversary celebration of the Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association, themed “Reflecting Four Decades of Historical Growth and Giving Back.”

Their intervention followed allegations by the alumni association that the Polytechnic management frustrated its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the planned inauguration of the Oko Polymaths Hall of Fame at the institution.

Nwafulugo urged stakeholders to embrace tolerance and unity, stressing that leadership requires service and the ability to accommodate differences.

“Leadership is about service. And when you are serving, you are going to tolerate a lot of things because it takes two to tango. There is always unity in diversity, and peace has been the anchor,” she said.

On his part, Onu appealed to the alumni not to resort to confrontation or litigation, describing the disagreement as a family matter that could be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding.

He warned that prolonged confrontation could distract stakeholders from their shared objective of advancing the institution.

“Let there be no fights, let there be no revenge. Do not go to court or fight anybody. Continue to pray and use your brain and number six to navigate through these challenges so that things can be right.

“We are together and fighting for the same cause, which is a better society,” Onu said.

Alumni Alleges Police Intervention

Earlier, National President of the Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association, Nze Henry Nnebe, alleged that the Polytechnic management frustrated the association’s AGM and prevented the planned inauguration of its Hall of Fame.

Nnebe claimed that security personnel were deployed to the venue, preventing the scheduled activities from taking place.

“Yesterday, we had our AGM. It was supposed to be the inauguration of the Hall of Fame that will act as an archive to everything called Federal Poly Oko. But unfortunately, the management brought in over 200 policemen to lock up the place and for the function not to take place,” he alleged.

The allegation could not be independently verified from the management during the event.

Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the 40th anniversary, Dr. Izuchukwu Nwabueze, also alleged that the committee made efforts to involve the Polytechnic management from the beginning of the anniversary preparations.

According to him, the committee formally notified the management of the planned activities and invited its participation but did not receive what he described as a favourable response.

Nwabueze further alleged that a directive was issued to heads of departments not to provide information to members of the alumni association.

He said the Rector’s absence from the anniversary celebration was a missed opportunity for the institution to collectively celebrate its achievements.

“Even if as a Rector you have issues with anybody, if you are a mature leader, you look beyond the individual and look at the larger picture.

“We chose for there not to be a drama yesterday because of the calibre of people we invited for today. But that act is condemnable. It is always good to be on the right part of history,” Nwabueze said.

Alumni Leadership Defends Its Contributions

Nnebe said the 40th anniversary was organised to honour the past, celebrate the present and accept responsibility for the future.

He stressed that the milestone was not merely about the age of the association but about its impact on the development of the Polytechnic.

“Over four decades, the Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association has contributed to the development of the institution through infrastructure, programmes, intellectual engagement and institutional support,” he said.

According to Nnebe, the alumni association was established to complement, rather than compete with, the Polytechnic management.

He explained that while the alumni focuses on development projects, advocacy and institutional support, the management is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the institution.

Nnebe said that despite occasional disagreements, the association had remained committed to the interests of the Polytechnic.

He highlighted several interventions by the alumni over the years, including the construction of the Alumni Secretariat during the administration led by Mr. Peter Igwe. The facility, comprising a hall and three offices, was handed over to the Polytechnic and reportedly used rent-free between 1994 and 2014.

He said the intervention was later expanded through the construction of the Ultra-Modern National Secretariat Office Complex, which commenced in 2015 and was commissioned in 2018 under the administration of Comrade Luke Nweke.

The complex includes a 500-capacity main hall, conference hall, Board of Trustees and National Executive Council rooms, offices and commercial spaces.

Other projects cited by Nnebe included the Alumni Hostel Project initiated by the Dr. Ubaka-led administration and valued at more than N300 million at the time of construction, as well as an ultra-modern gate at the Ufuma Campus, valued at more than N40 million, constructed under the current national leadership.

Beyond infrastructure, he said the association had introduced programmes including the Family Shower Programme for newly appointed Rectors and the IBB Annual Lecture Series and Awards to promote intellectual engagement.

He added that the association had also established the Oko Polymaths Hall of Fame as an archive to preserve the history, heritage and achievements of the Polytechnic community.

Call for Unity Among Alumni

Speaking at the event, General Manager of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Abakaliki, Barr. Emeka Okpala, urged members of the alumni association to avoid actions that could undermine the body.

Okpala called for greater unity and cooperation among members, stressing the need to place the long-term interests of the association above individual differences.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the association’s Board of Trustees, Hon. Victor Orji, described the 40th anniversary as a significant milestone and a testament to the vision and resilience of the institution and its alumni.

“Forty years is a significant milestone. It is a celebration not merely of the passage of time, but of vision, resilience, achievement, and the countless lives transformed by Federal Polytechnic Oko.

“Over the decades, the institution has produced exceptional professionals, entrepreneurs, technocrats, academics, public servants, innovators and leaders who continue to make meaningful contributions to Nigeria and the world,” he said.

Orji acknowledged the contributions of the institution’s founding fathers and successive administrations to its academic development.

He also commended the Nnebe-led National Executive Council for what he described as its commitment to unity and purposeful leadership.

The anniversary celebration attracted prominent personalities, including the General Manager of Channels Television, Lagos, Mr. Kingsley Datuboaranta; General Manager of NTA Abakaliki, Barr. Emeka Okpala; Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council; alumni members and other stakeholders.

Highlights of the celebration included an anniversary lecture delivered by Chief Tayo Ayinde, Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, represented by Moriakinyo Akinrinade; the cutting of the anniversary cake; and the conferment of Star and Iconic Ambassador Awards on more than 70 individuals.

The award recipients included former Rectors and members of the alumni community who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavour.

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