Anybody who is conversant with the institution will be excited to witness the ongoing infrastructural transformation projects in Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri in Imo State under the dynamic leadership of “The Smart Rector”, Dr Michael Chidiebere Arimanwa, and his management team.
It is worthy to note that there are several infrastructure projects that are ongoing in this citadel of higher learning currently despite the negative effect of Covid-19 global pandemic and its resultant lockdown, but one of these building projects stands out because of what it represents, (a promise kept!) It is the construction of classroom building complex for the School of Engineering!
The site where this new classroom building complex is situated was formerly bearing host to the longest pavilion in the institution urgently constructed in 2011 by the past administration of the institution in collaboration with the then Students Union Government leadership of the institution to tackle the increasing demand for lecture halls. The said pavilion has been in a dilapidating state until Dr Arimanwa, an engineer took over as the Rector of the best polytechnic in Nigeria.
Around March this year, the Students Union Government leadership of this institution sealed up the said pavilion due to its dilapidating state and called upon the school management to renovate the pavilion.
The proactive Rector whose quest for excellence and rapid transformation of this citadel of higher learning cannot be overemphasised paid an unscheduled visit to the sealed pavilion and promised the student leaders that the dilapidating structure will be taken care of in no distant time.
Shortly after the Rector made this promise, Covid-19 pandemic set in, forcing the institution to short down, yet the Rector whose word is his bond could not renege on his promise.
Being a Rector who is on a mission to rapidly revolutionise the infrastructural landscape of this citadel of higher learning, shocked the leadership of the students of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, when he ordered for the complete demolition of the pavilion and construction of a befitting two-storey building lecture complex as against mere renovation of the old pavilion requested by the SUG. About three months down the line, a brand new two-storey lecture complex is nearing completion despite the lockdown!
It is worthy to note that the Rector and his management team have also made giant strides in ICT, which earned him the name ”Smart Rector”.
Time will fail me to talk about the Automated Hand Washing Machine and Sanitiser, an innovative technology developed by the institution’s team of engineers as part of Covid-19 preventive response, good road network infrastructure with erosion control dual drainage system channelled to Otamiri River, CCTV Smart campus camera, solar-powered street lights, and prompt service delivery amongst others.
I, therefore call upon well-meaning Imolites in particular and Nigerians in general to support Dr Arimanwa-led management of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri to take this institution to a greater height, as he is poised to deliver.
To God alone be all the glory.
- Eronini writes from Owerri.
