Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic (CEAPOLY), Rumuola, to ensure provision of proper administration to the institution.
The governor said, at this critical time, proper administration will steer the institution aright and restore it to the path of academic excellence.
Governor Fubara gave the charge while inaugurating the Governing Council of the institution at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The governor recalled when Rivers State was among top States in the federation with competitive academic performance, and said it was time to return the State to that path of excellence.
”We were noted for something many years ago. When you come to Rivers State, you’ll see interesting competition in education. Today, the competition is no longer in education, it is in the number of violent incidents.
”We need to change the strategy, we need to let people understand that the only way that we will develop our State is with quality education.
”In China, the secret behind their success is their brain put in their hands. When they think, they make it happen. They don’t sit in their homes to think, they go to quality schools, no matter how it is. They are built to become useful to themselves and the society.”
Governor Fubara charged members of the new council to do something different from the normal things that they see happening in the institution.
”Make sure you give the polytechnic a direction. I have had a few complaints, and I strongly believe that by setting up this council today, all the issues in that school will be resolved.”
Governor Fubara specifically said: “We have issues of employment, we have issues of staff welfare, we have issues of indiscipline by members of the staff.
”I know quite alright that with the calibre of the council members, you have what it takes to put that institution on the right path.”
Speaking on behalf of other members, Chairman of the council Dr. Robinson N. Ewoh, said the school was originally for basic studies but later became a college.
He added that by 2016, it was transformed into a polytechnic but the infrastructure has not changed, stressing that to achieve the needed technical education, facilities need to improve.
”You go to infrastructure, the classrooms are still like those of School of Basic Studies: No library, laboratory, zero hostel. And because of zero hostel, the in-take is gradually coming down.
”The houses around there are very expensive. Parents can no longer afford to pay house rents to enable their kids go to that school.
”Finally, Your Excellency, even the council you have put together now, we don’t have an office, no council building.
”The last administration started something, and stopped half way. So, the Rector will still have to look for a temporary office for us. But I want to assure you that the team you have put together, well experienced team, will be able to deliver on the mandate you have given us.”
Members of the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic Governing Council has Dr. Robinson N. Ewoh as Chairman, with Dr. Emmanuel O. Omah, Nwonuala Chinaka Charles, Evans Amadi, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Chief Dakorinama Evans Ibama, and Chief Bajor Osaro, as members.