By Eseoghene Emuke
It was outpour of tributes at the Chief James Onanefe Ibori Main Auditorium of the Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, as Engr. Professor Emmanuel Apoyi Ogujor, on Monday bowed out as Rector of the polytechnic.
At a send-forth and welcoming ceremony organised for the outgoing Rector, Prof Ogujor, and his successor, Prof. Prof. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, various speakers including women and youths from the host community described Ogujor as “the best performing Rector” the institution has ever had.
The event organised by the Governing Board and management of the polytechnic also witnessed praises from board members and staff of the institution on the former rector for his sterling leadership which has seen the school being ranked as one of the best polytechnics in Nigeria.
Taking turns to speak at the event which was graced by beautifully dressed Oghara chiefs, women, youths and members of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), the Chairman of the Polytechnic Governing Board, Chief Andrew Orugbo, euogised Ogujor for placing the school academically on the global map.
Orugbo, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Delta State, noted that he and other members of the Board had a rancor-free time working with former rector.
He added that tremendous achievements were recorded under Prof. Ogujor during his five years stay at the polytechnic as Rector.
Also speaking, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, represented by Chief Duncan Ewhere, eulogised Prof. Ogujor as the best rector since the establishment of the institution.
Ibori noted that Ogujor under his five-year was a bridge builder who promoted peace between the people of Otefe and management of the polytechnic.
The former governor particularly commended the rector for the establishing table water company and radio FM for the Mass Communication department for the training of journalists in the institution.
Ibori also commended the outgoing rector and his management for naming the school auditorium built with internally generated revenue of the institution after him.
In his farewell speech, Prof. Ogujor, while reflecting on his five-year tenure, commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his appointment, saying he never lobbied for the job.
Ogujor attributed his successes recorded under his administration to God and praised the governing board and management of the polytechnic for their support.
“I want to thank His Excellency, governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for giving me the opportunity to serve. I didn’t know him before I was appointed. I never went to Asaba to appeal or lobby for the position. I want to appreciate him profusely for all the support.
“I want to specially thank our former governor, Chief James Ibori for being a father to the polytechnic. He supported the school in various ways. He ensured that there’s no crisis between the school and host community. Once there’s any issue, he quickly reach out to both side.
“I want to thank everyone who contributed negatively because they helped us to work harder and I want to thank those who contributed positively because they helped us achieved the feat we attained. I want to also apologize for all those we offended in the course of achieving what we achieved here and doing the duties assigned to us”, a renowned engineer stated.
He, however, urged the incoming rector to build on the successes recorded and prioritise areas that need urgent attention.
In his maiden remark, the new rector of the polytechnic, Prof. Ufuophu-Biri profusely thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his appointment.
Ufuophu-Biri, a renowned mass communication scholar and celebrity Master of Ceremony (MC) promised to do everything possible working with governing board and management of the institution to sustain achievements recorded by his predecessors and build on areas of needs.
“I will try and keep to my mission and vision with what I met here at the polytechnic. We will make good imprint not only on the sand of time but on the stones of times”, he said.
The ceremony featured presentation of gifts and award by Otefe-Oghara community to the outgoing rector for his sterling leadership which has deepened peace and improved socio-economic activities in the community.
