Barineme Fakae: A Tribute

Even the Great Book, the
Bible says there is time for everything under the sun, time to sow and time to reap, time to begin and time to end. Such is the situation with Prof Barineme Bekee Fakae, the Vice Chancellor of the  Rivers State University of Science and Technology, who was appointed by the former Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, some years ago.
The Vice-Chancellor’s appointment met a lot of resistance but Prof Fakae was on a rescue mission to redeem the battered image of the institution that students were not proud to mention due to continued morale decadence in the university.
Prof Fakae had worked with University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and later became the Rector of Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori where he started his transformation. Prof Fakae has  over the years done exploits with unimaginable trust.
Without going much into his profile, it is very important to note that he was born on Monday, 26th March, 1956 in Bori, the headquarters of Ogoni Kingdom.
Prof Fakae obtained both his first and post graduate Degrees in Veterinary Medicine at University of Nsukka and later attended the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom where he  was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD). He is the foundation member of the College of Veterinary Surgeons in Nigeria (MCVSN) in 2003.
In 2004, he became a diamond medalist in his very chosen career-Veterinary Parasitoloy which attracted a professional crown. His outstanding qualities made the then governor to draft him from Riv Poly to the University of Science and Technology.
Based on his track record, he was reappointed by the Governor for the second time, on 1st August, 2012. Furthermore, his indelible marks are speaking for him especially now that his tenure as Vice-Chancellor is gradually winding down.
In one of the farewell ceremonies held at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Department of Agriculture (RSUST), the testimonies about him were pouring like an ever flowing stream.
The Vice-Chncellor was at one of the occasions asked to reveal his proficiency and dexterity. Most importantly, how he managed to pull the boat between the tidal waves and his survival methodologies. Some erudite scholars among whom are fellow professors, doctors and lecturers could not hide their excitement about the out outgoing Vice-Chancellor.
At the Faculty of Agriculture, one of the lecturers gave a vivid account of how he became computer literate at the age of 40 which was the handiwork of the Vice-Chancellor. This Department also has a demonstration farm with variety of crops which is attributed to the eminent scholar.
Prof  Fakae, a man of excellent charisma and vigor, has introduced a lot of technological advancement in the Agriculture Department.
Among the various eulogies at the event was one by Prof T.A.T Wabua when he said, “those who cannot contribute to the university should keep away from the system and not to criticise.” Other contributors were Prof M.A. Amakri, Dr. (Mrs) Ann, Dr (Mrs) Orgy, Dr (Mrs) Vivian among others.
Also speaking, Prof Fakae said, “let us resist anything that will truncate our semester.” On the issue of the introduction of computer to the institution, he said. “training is local but competition is global.” Let us imagine the old UST without the introduction of the computer system.
The Urban and Regional Planning, also booked their name in history when they joined others to chant farewell songs and well-crafted toast to mark the day. Prof Fakae, especially warned that those who had political connection should use it to help the university and not to bring it down.
The soft spoken Prof once told his audience that using the face-book with the young ones actually make him young. In conclusion, he said, his 12 years of heading a university is not an easy task, both as a Rector and a Vice-Chancellor.
Prof. Fakae has transformed the university into a modern type with over N800 million in the need assessment account for the building of the shopping mall and the hall for the Agriculture Department.
In the word of Jim Rohn, happiness is not something you postpone for the future, it is something you design for the present.
Dukor wrote from Port Harcourt.

Pius Dukor