Barr. Israel Afia, Rector, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, has been roundly applauded by the staff and students of the institution for what they described as excellent performance since his assumption of office as substantive Rector of the institution about a year ago.
The recommendations came on the heels of the Rector’s overwhelming achievements in the institution including his recent inauguration of the Electoral Committee set up by the school management to mid-wife the birth of the Polytechnic Students’ Union Government which has been in the doldrums for the past eleven years.
Addressing the obviously excited students in the General Purpose Hall of the institution, the amiable Rector, Barr. Israel Afia who spoke amidst ceaseless ovation from the students said he was short of words to describe the love which his students have accorded him. He said that institutionalizing Students’ Union Government in AKWAPOLY was in fulfillment of the promise he made on the day he assumed office as the substantive Rector of the institution. He stressed that his determination to terminate the eleven years of Students Caretakership in the institution was borne out of the fact that he occupied a prime place in the students’ union during his days as a student which according to him, has enabled him understand theirs yearnings better. Barr. Afia maintained that his believe in student programmes informed his decision to initiate the drafting of the constitution by setting up a committee to take charge of the exercise which he said constitute requisite criteria for the establishment of Students Union Government.
Barr. Afia who openly forgave sponsors of evil acts against him said the staff and students of the institution can testify that since his assumption of office as Rector, all his energy and expertise have been channeled towards their academic successes and improved welfare respectively. He mentioned some of his achievements so far in part, to include; prompt release of result to the students, a practice he said was never possible before now. Provision of enough seats in various lecture halls for the sitting comfort of students, approval of conferences to the students and prompt approval of staff request. Others he said include his avowed determination to implement his ‘back to hostel’ policy which is aimed at ensuring that students have a place to live on campus. The Rector further opined that, more auditoriums would be delivered to students during his tenure as Rector of the institution while asserting that the security of life and property will continue to occupy a prime place in the policy thrust of his administration. The Rector prayed fervently for his students in their various academic programs and for the continued peace in the institution.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Matters, Mr. Ini Ememeobong, thanked the Rector for bearing a heart of a father which he said has instigated students love for him. He described his decision to initiate the formation of Students Union Government as a watershed in history. The Governor’s aide congratulated the management, staff and students of the institution for enhancing a peaceful learning environment which he ascribed to the pedigree of the man at the helm of affairs in the institution. Mr. Ememobong commended the state governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio for appointing an education friendly Rector and charged students to take advantage of academic expertise of the Rector and his students’ friendly disposition to make the best in their learning. He appealed to the newly inaugurated ELECO to be sincere and committed to their duty by ensuring that a level playing ground is endeavored to enable students choose credible leaders to lead them . The Governor’s aide charged students to eschew all forms of violence during the exercise and choose their leaders wisely.
He however berated students for always being in a hurry to actualize their aspirations saying, such attitude negates the acceptable administrative norms which, according to him centres on consulting first, then consolidating before confronting the situation.
Responding on behalf of the ELECO Committee, the Chairman, Pastor Nathaniel Ibanga, a lecturer in the Students Affairs Department of the school, promised to deliver a credible Students Union Government to the Polytechnic Community within the stipulated time frame.
He sued for cooperation from the students to enable them achieve their set goals. Other committee members include; Michael Donald Etim, School of Preliminary Studies-Secretary; Umoh Abel, Head, Students Affairs-Returning Officer; Okokon Edet, School of Part Time Studies-member; Magdalene Ekarika (miss),School of Applied Science - member; Franklyn Emmanuel Umoh, School of Engineering- member; Inemesit Bassey Akpan, School of Environmental Studies- member; Ime Peter Umanah, School of Business Administration-member and Kingsley Jimmy Inam, School of Communication Arts- member.
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