Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba (formerly Abia State Polytechnic) has matriculated over 4,000 students across its National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.
The 31st matriculation ceremony, which took place at the institution’s pavilion on Friday, saw an increase in the number of matriculated students compared to previous year’s.
The event was marked by excitement and commissioning activities credited to the state government’s interventions and the effective leadership of the institution under the Rector, Engr. Christopher Okoro.
Speaking at the event, Dr Okoro expressed confidence in the institution’s progress under his administration.
He disclosed improvements across all sectors from management and infrastructure to student welfare.
He extended gratitude to the state governor, Dr Alex Otti, for his support in repositioning the polytechnic within a short time.
Quoting him, “Just about one year ago, I stood on this same spot to address a gathering like this: the Matriculation Ceremony of the 2023/2024 set. I was barely a few weeks old myself as Rector, and I could hardly afford to talk with a high degree of certainty and confidence about many issues in just a year.
“All I could offer were prayers, fatherly advice and then promises: prayers to the Almighty God for life, good health and grace; advice to our new students on the imperative of good conduct and hard work; and then promises-about the expected improved conditions of teaching and learning; about a new environment conducive for the attainment of the highest levels of academic excellence in the New Abia dispensation of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, our education-loving Governor.
“I am delighted to announce to you, on this occasion of the 2024/2025 Matriculation ceremony, that all of those promises of last year, even beyond our own wild imaginations, have become beautiful, standing concrete realities today.
“Courtesy of our indefatigable Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, who follows up every pronouncement and promise with a commensurate force of strategic action, we have even transcended our initial short-term projection about the transformation of this institution for the direct benefit of our students and staff, all within a short period of a year.
“Today, and to put it as briefly as possible, the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic has assumed its rightful place as the beacon of excellence in the provision of qualitative technological education in this part of the world, illuminating the path for others to follow.
“As I address you today, our classrooms, laboratories, workshops; our teaching and learning resources, represent some of the best in the country. Our campus has received far-ranging face-lift with visible emphasis on cleanliness and unmatched aesthetic appeal.
“Today, we have an institution we all are proud of. In that same vein, our staff, teaching and non-teaching, whose welfare have been prioritized by our Governor in an unprecedented manner, are now as super-motivated and super-committed as ever to deliver on their duties.”
Okoro further revealed that the institution has an updated and enhanced curriculum for both old and new students and also added new strategic courses that will prepare students for the labour market upon graduation.
“We have also rapidly enhanced our curriculum to provide old and new students with a more balanced training within the core mandate of Polytechnic education in Nigeria and beyond.
“This means that apart from your routine, conventional courses directly required for your diplomas, we have added others, strategically packaged to prepare you for life after here.
“For instance, we now have additional courses, at the general and specific levels, in Career Planning, Skills Development, Digital Creativity, Artificial Intelligence, among many others, which are intended to give you an edge in an increasingly competitive job market, especially in an era when the global economy leans heavily on practical skills.
“Apart from the above, we have also now devised a means of reformulating our statutory and foundational courses with top-notch practical elements to fit into the international tide.”
Representing Governor Alex Otti at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Eme Uche, commissioned a newly constructed 370-seat lecture theatre, the first of its kind on campus.
She commended the speed and quality of the work, which was completed in just five months.
Prof. Uche praised the Rector for equipping the theatre with state-of-the-art learning tools, including smart boards and audiovisual equipment. She was especially impressed that students from the Welding and Fabrication Department fabricated the theatre’s seating and metalworks.
She said, “I was part of the foundation laying stone contingent of this lecture theater and when we were young, we thought that buildings were allowed to go through so many rainy seasons to be very strong but now, we have realised it really not true.
“Just in five months, we have this structure and I think it’s a great privilege and I want to thank the Rector who has queued in to the vision of the governor to restore and the lost glory of education in the state.
“It is no longer news that the governor us an education loving governor and he is doing so much to restore the pride and dignity of higher institution in the state.
“I want to take this moment to thank everyone who played a pivotal role in building this institution and to the governor for his dedication in making this institution into a world class citadel of learning.
“This auditorium is not just a building of bricks and mortar, it embodies dedication and excellence and it’s a place were ideas will be exchanged, creativity will be unleashed.
She also advised the students to utilise the facility well and ensure that the theatre is well kept and items placed for academic learning and studies are not destroyed.
The commissioner added, “Education is the bedrock of any progressive society” and maintained that “The government of Abia State remains committed to the advancement of tertiary education, ensuring that our institutions provide quality education that is relevant to the evolving demands of our society and the global economy. “
Other commissioned projects in the school include the skills acquisition hub, artificial intelligence lab, and a fullyequipped science labs, among other projects.
The event was attended by the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Emmeruwa, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Austin Okezie, Majority Leader, Hon. Okoro Uchenna, the Accountant General of the State, Dr. Njum Onyemenam, among other government functionaries.
