Bldr Prof Emmanuel Achuenu: Celebrating four garlands of impact on DSPG ~ Truth Reporters

 

By 5 Ws and H Communications

Upon assumption of office , to wit , vide an official letter dated 27th July , 2021, Builder Professor Emmanuel Achuenu, the 5th Substantive Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku, in Aniocha South local government area of Delta State , had four burning desires on how to uplift the technology driven institution

The tall orders he set for himself and his team, were simplicita, (1) Attaining Campus security , (2), Accelerated infrastructural development, (3) Strengthening of Academic programmes, and (4), Showcasing the institution,s National and International visibility , to make it primus inter pares , among the comity of Polytechnics in Nigeria and beyond

THE JOURNEY , FOUR YEARS AFTER

Meeting on ground campus restiveness occasioned by the prevailing security challenges upon assumption of office , in addition to the highly vibrant mien of the Nigerian student , DSPG not excluded, the peace loving Rector hit the ground running by initiating far reaching policies such as electronic voting ( e-voting) into the Students Union Government ( SUG) body , such that it is seamless and done electronically , with all candidates, their agents and supporters alike , viewing the flow of the voting pattern as only bonafide students who are duly identified with their matriculation numbers and other security checks, vote and see their votes streamed on the portal they have access to by virtue of their student identifications

According to Bldr Professor Achuenu :"As voting is going on , candidates scores are highlighted , and with a click of the button , the final summary is printed out and all accredited agents for the various candidates sign , and after the relevant polytechnic authority countersigned, the result  is announced and no celebration is allowed on campus so as to forestall any security breaches as is prevalent in general elections. DSPG is the only higher institution that has adopted this electronic voting format in Delta and beyond "

LIGHTING

It's on record that the entire campus was in darkness until Achuenu mounted the saddle . With the then Chief Arausi led Governing Council,s nod, he secure approval to purchase needed equipment , and today , the entire polytechnic is lit 24/7 via solar as well as being linked to the 33 KVA national grid , a feat that even angels would dare tred

INTERNAL ROADS

Not even a single metre of tarred road met Bldr Professor Achuenu upon assumption of office, a disconcerting narrative for a higher institution that was established since 2003. Today , the institution wears a semblance , like it's peers, as the entrance into the institution from the main gate to the administrative block and beyond , has been tarred , giving it a semblance of a higher institution , all thanks to the unwavering dexterity of a workaholic Rector , desirous of making a mark on the sands of time

STRENGHTENING OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES

Without mincing words , since he assumed office as Rector in 2021, his has been a strident resolve, knowing that the bedrock of DSPG,s existence, resolves around the integrity of the courses on the offering table. . During the 23rd Matriculation ceremony of the 2024/2025 matriculants , Achuenu enthused : ' It is exciting to note that the Polytechnic , which at inception in 2003 started operating from a temporary site ( DPPS) along Ubulu-Uku road, Ogwashi-Uku, with 200 students , also has metamorphosed into a full blown Polytechnic, with 7 Schools and 42 departments and 74 accredited programmes by National Board For Technical Education ( NBTE) and has recorded tremendous growth and achievements, Academic excellence , also in Science Exhibitions . Also , the Polytechnic has won several laurels in the field of sports within and outside the country"

SLT

The Science Laboratory Technology ( SLT) , is a critical component of Bldr Professor Achuenu,s success story .

The workaholic and tireless achiever built the SLT from scratch , and today, all SLT  programmes are fully accredited and its 5 HND programmes have 5 STREAMS, unlike some that have one ( 1) stream , indicating the capacity of the programme

MASS COMM DEPARTMENT UNBUNDLED, DSPG RADIO ON STREAM

Achuenu,s tireless efforts to ensure proficiency and academic excellence paid off with the unbundling of the Mass Communications department, such that the HND programmes have three different study areas which are all accredited

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Achuenu,s dexterity also led to the unbundling of this department to have Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence duly accredited as courses by NBTE

SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Built from scratch , six (6) programmes including Architecture, Building, Estate Management , Quantity Survey , Surveying and Geo formatics as well as Urban and Regional Planning, are all running , while the School of Environmental studies complex building , is already over 60% completion level as

PERIMETER FENCING

Already at advanced stages

INDUSTRIAL HARMONY

It's attested that the rapport between the Management of DSPG and all the Unions of the institution, have been cordial, mutually beneficial and devoid of any rancour. Till date , all the Unions have benefitted tremendously from the Achuenu led management,s style of administration, with dialogue the key word

MANAGEMENT/SUG collaboration

The support of the management to the programmes of the Students Union Government ( SUG) has been wonderful . Demonstrably , the construction of a befitting Secretariat for the students body within the campus, support for it's activities , has in no small way led to the unending peace on campus

MANAGEMENT/ GOVERNING COUNCIL RAPPORT

Without the support of the Governing Council, it would have been difficult to navigate the stormy waters of educational administration for the Bldr Prof Achuenu led management. So far , there has been tremendous support from the Governing Councul

MANAGEMENT/COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

The cooperation of the Ogwashi-Uku people , led by His Royal Majesty , Obi Ifechukwude, Aninshin11, the Obi of Ogwashi-uku, his chiefs and stakeholders, have endured that harmony remains in the institution

MANAGEMENT/ DTSG COLLABORATION

As the "owner" of DSPG, the State government has always played it's oversight role in ensuring the sustenance and peaceful coexistence of the polytechnic and it's publics. All the successes recorded would not have been achieved without government,s support, through it's relevant agency , the ministry of Higher Education

CONCLUSION

For a man whose laudable four ( 4) year stint has produced giant monumental strides , begging for listing , the spree of his genuine passion for the development of DSPG , is at once unrivalled and laudable

Within four years , he engendered the following

1) Full accreditation of all 74 programmes by NBTE

2) Excellent working relationship with the Delta State government and Tertiary Education Fund ( TETFUND)

3) Training and retraining of staff even up to PhD level

4) Ongoing perimeter fencing of the school

5) Provision of Solar renewable energy and training of students on solar energy

6) Restoration of 33 KVA power line from the national grid, thus ensuring 24/7 constant light on campus

7) Construction of 325 capacity lecture hall with staff offices and conference hall powered by solar ( IGR)

8) Establishment of Micro soft Academy , equipped with modern computers for training of staff and students

9)  Establishment of Renewable energy solar Laboratory

10) Development of the SMART CAMPUS CITY which won awards at the Technology expo summit in Abuja

11) DSPG Radio station

12) Staff and skills development centre

13) Construction of lnternal Road Sector 1

14) Commencement of construction ( competed) of the basketball and volleyball courts at the sports complex

15) Presidency of the Nigsria Polytechnics Games Association ( NIPOGA)

Undoubtedly , Bldr Professor Emmanuel Achuenu , came prepared for the position of Rector . As he promised to achieve his two certificates per graduate of the polytechnic , his four years so far have been eventful and progress inclined. It can only get better