JIM NWOBODO TO GRACE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC OKO, ALUMNI ANNUAL AWARD AND THE INSTITUTION OF GENERAL BABANGIDA ANNUAL PUBLIC LECTURE
By Uzo Ugwunze
Former Governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Ifeayichukwu Nwobodo who has been nominated for the prestigious Founder's Award has accepted to grace Federal Polytechnic Oko, for the institution of the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida Annual Public Lecture.
According to a press release made available to newsmen by the National President, Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association, Nze Henry Nnebe the alumni body having considered the significant role played by the Elder Statesman towards the evolution of the citadel of learning paid His Excellency Jim Nwobodo on the 4th of December inviting him for the 2023 Alumni Awards and Institution of IBB Annual Lecture scheduled for 15th December,2023.
"The National President of Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association Nze Henry Chukwuka Nnebe in the company of former FPO Alumni President, Chief Oliver Ndu and National Assistant Secretary Dr. Joseph Ogai paid a courtesy visit to HE Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo to intimate him and invite him to grace the 2023 Alumni Award and the institutions of IBB Annual lecture scheduled for 15th December 2023 which he gladly accepted to honour".
"HE Jim Nwobodo was the Governor that in 1981 made Oko a Diploma awarding institution, with the name Collage of Arts, Science and Technology (CASTECH)".
"According to Nwobodo education is the greatest asset you can give to a child and as a teacher himself who knows the important education and knowledge he prioritized it as a governor and established many institution in the then old Anambra State".
"Amongst the institution Nwobodo established are Anambra State University of Science of Technology which has given birth to three University namely, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Enugu State University and Ebonyi State University. While College of Arts, Science and Technology has metamorphosed into Anambra State Polytechnic and later Federal Polytechnic Oko".
"The State College of Education Eha Amufu he equally established has equally been taken over by Federal government under the administration of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in 1993, the same time Anambra State Polytechnic Oko and many other institution was taking over by Federal Government to reflect Federal Character".
"Jim Nwobodo will be accorded a 'Founder's Award' with same honour bequeathed to Late HE Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, who was the initiator of what is known today as Federal Polytechnic Oko".
"The kernel of what eventually became The Polytechnic was the brainchild of Oko Progressive Union (OPU) greatly catalyzed by the patronage, resourcefulness and result-oriented leadership of its pioneer Chairman, a former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme GCON" .
"At inception in 1979, the institution was approved by the Anambra State Government as a College of Arts and Science designed to prepare candidates for the General Certificate in Education (GCE) examination at both the ordinary and advanced levels".
"On June 28 1980, Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo the Governor of old Anambra State upgraded the institution to College of Arts, Science and Technology, an elevation that made it more attractive to young school leavers who came in droves to seek Diploma Certificate which the college could award".
"The then Principal of the college Mr Ndu Lawrence was elevated to Provost of the college. The coming of the military regime of Rear Admiral Alison Madueke as the Sole Administrator of the then Anambra State saw the college formalized as the Anambra State Polytechnic, Oko through Edict No. 12 of 1985, published as a supplement to the Anambra State of Nigeria Gazette No. 24, volume 10 of June 27 1984".
"His administration lured Prof. Clifford C. O. Ezeilo, a professor of Mathematics to become the first Rector of the Polytechnic and he laid a solid foundation for the Polytechnic".
"In 1993, the Anambra State Polytechnic, Oko with many other institutions across the country were taken over by the Federal Government of Nigeria under able and proactive leadership of Rtd General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida to reflect federal character and the institution was renamed Federal Polytechnic, Oko," it stated.