By Victor Lewis
The name, Dr. Ichioma Irene Awuzie rings a bell as one who has cut her teeth amongst the academia. However, her elevation to the exalted office of the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko has presented the opportunity for her to demonstrate the stuff she is made of in educational management.
Appointed as the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Awuzie assumed office on the 4th of February, 2026 with a clear vision of re-inventing the top-class academic institution and the mission of taking it to an unprecedented high pedestal.
She set her target and constituted a team with a focus on radical infrastructural and intellectual development anchored on a resourceful leadership.
A few months into her assumption of duties, her vision and mission for the growth and development for the institution has become common knowledge of both staff and students who have no option than to tag along.
Indeed, Dr. Awuzie’s drive for excellence and intellectualism is visibly encapsulated in her 12-point agenda that aptly set the tone and direction for an uncompromising administration capable of raising the bar of leadership in the institution.
The set agenda include, Human Resource Development, Academic Reinvention and Programme Development, Students’ Welfare, Discipline, Relationship with stakeholders, Academic integrity, Public Relations and Laundering, Security, Financial Transparency and Infrastructural development.
Attesting to her contributions in less than a year after her resumption of office, Nicky Okeke of Department of Mass Communication in the School, stated that “In barely a year and half in office, these points had been religiously implemented showing the Rector’s level of readiness to deliver results without excuses.
“Expectedly, the Federal Polytechnic Oko has suddenly become a construction site with giant projects dotting the Polytechnic”, noting that “Of particular concern is the previously abandoned Hospitality Building that is now a towering edifice that reflects Dr.Awuzie’s determination to deliver giant strides and stamp her name in the history books as one of the best Rector ever to pilot the affairs of the Polytechnic.”
Okeke further stated that Dr. Awuzie’s leadership pursuit has tremendously transformed the Polytechnic, adding that as of today, the Skill Development Centre has been fully upgraded and providing practical skills to students in different areas of skill acquisition.
“Today we have lost count of projects that are executed in the Polytechnic due to the speed and drive that defines the Rector’s leadership style.
“The Skill Development Centre established to exposed students to cutting- edge practical skills with students undergoing training in Welding and Fabrication, Fashion design,Feed Production, Networking and System Security Installations amongst others.
“Other projects include, reactivation of the Polytechnic Printing Press that is today providing essential services for the Polytechnic community.
“The Senator Barnabas Gemade Medical Centre,Ufuma campus, Hospitality Management/Hotel Complex that was designed to strengthen practical training for Hospital Management students,Installation of Solar infrastructure for the Polytechnic 98.7 Moment FM that was moribund for years, The male and female ultra modern hostel at the extension site of the institution, Staff Sports/Relaxation Centre, the Polytechnic monument at the main gate and many other projects that are at various levels of completion.”
As an ICT-savvy professional, Dr. Awuzie was said to have “delivered over 141 new desktop computers to the ICT Directorate of the institution to boost the institution’s digital infrastructure rebuilding the capacity of the Polytechnic to host JAMB UTME”.
Okeke also reckoned that It was the Rector’s “drive for results in the area of ICT that attracted the selection of the Polytechnic as the only South-East institution captured for the First Lady’s Pilot Digital Technology Project which will be commissioned today.”
As the Nigerian first lady Her Excellency
Senator Oluremi Tinubu,CON is expected to commission the ICT Experience Centre, Chemical Engineering Building and the Students Examination Hall, in the institution, the staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, are expressing profound gratitude an Academic Amazon and a trailblazer for her many giants strides that are currently launching the institution I to the realm of international recognition.
“She symbolizes hardwork, dedication and commitment to excellence.Today, the Polytechnic stands tall as one of the fastest growing Polytechnic in the country courtesy of the Rector, Dr Chioma Irene Awuzie who is exploring her contacts and connections in attracting significant projects to the institution. Madam Projects ,let the projects continue!”, Okeke concluded.
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