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The man, the vision, and fulfillment

By Michael Johnbull
05 November 2016   |   1:16 am
The Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro was established by the Delta State government on November 12, 2002 and upon assumption of office on March 28, 2012, the Rector of the institution, Dr. Jacob Snipps Oboreh...
Dr Jacob Oboreh

Dr Jacob Oboreh

Ozoro Poly Rector, Dr Jacob Oboreh, Recounts Achievements At The Institution
The Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro was established by the Delta State government on November 12, 2002 and upon assumption of office on March 28, 2012, the Rector of the institution, Dr. Jacob Snipps Oboreh, decided to put machinery in motion to fast-track both academic and infrastructural development of Ozoro Polytechnic in Isoko North Local Council of the State.

The vision and self-determination of Dr. Jacob S. Oboreh, council and the management of Ozoro Polytechnic, supported by the Delta State government in declaring emergency on infrastructural and physical structures now visible, came without compromising quality and functionality. Dr. Oboreh through a task force headed by Corel engineer of the Department of Works, using building technology and civil engineering departments, brought the determination of direct labour approach to the development of the institution, including human capital development.

Essentially, every new development must adopt the attitude to change. It is on this basis that Dr. Oboreh captures the mind of council and management of Ozoro Polytechnic in the actualization of bored vision towards the development of the institution. Though the human nature is resistant to change, he was able to overcome attitudinal behaviour of staff through constant querrying suspension and termination of appointments, adding that discipline, advice, warning and sanctions contributed to the landmark achievements of the polytechnic.

Intervention agencies like Tetfund, DESOPADEC and NDDC also contributed to the infrastructural development of the institution through individuals that attracted funds and structures. Dr Oboreh, through internally generated revenue, built physical structures aesthetically designed with modern facilities, well articulated through managerial ability that places Ozoro Polytechnic the best in Delta State and among the best in Nigeria. Essentially, the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa also contributed towards the infrastructural development of the institution.

Some of the structures by intervention agencies like Tedfund, DESOPADEC, NDDC, individuals and Delta State government through the state governor, are central administration complex (two storey building), 450 meters bridge walkway, convocation/event arena, lecture theatres for the Department of Science Laboratory Technology, two detached lecture theatres with 250 seating capacity, each for the department of marketing, a multipurpose laboratory complex for the department of office technology and management, a block of ICT laboratory furnished with 140 computers with accessories for the Department of Accounting, one twin lecture theatre with a total of 440 seating capacity for the department of accounting.

Others include a 14,000 capacity stadium, fire fighting station, construction of 2kilometer internal road, Automatic Computerised Alignment and Voltage workshop, 40, 000 litre borehole that supplies water to the entire polytechnic, sponsoring staff on local and international conference workshops regularly, purchase of Mercedes 814 truck for polytechnic use, two coastal Toyota buses, purchase of four generating sets(80KVA-(3) 60KVA(2), purchase of a D6 bulldozer, grader, excavator and caterpillars to fast track development and clearing of the polytechnic land and the polytechnic ICT centre furnished with 180 computers (laptops) with accessories.

Others include one lecture theatre with 840-seating capacity for the Department of Accounting, Chemical Engineering workshop, academic staff complex with 22 offices for the Department of Business Administration and perimeter fencing of the polytechnic (Northern and Southern Side) 1.5km covered, ICT centre complex construction of 1.5km internal road network, electrification of new site, supply of two 500KVA transformers and supply of 500KVA generator.

The rector attributed the achievement to the state government that gives free hand in the judicious utilization of internally generated revenue, stressing that all the infrastructures belong to the state government and by statuesque council and management of the institution are government parastatals employed to oversee implementation of the state government policies and projects.

Dr. Oboreh commended the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for the prompt payment of staff salaries up till date in spite of the country’s economic recession. He emphasized on the N100 billion donated by the state government towards the completion of the stadium as an indication of the governor’s support and commitment towards the infrastructural development of the institution.

Upon the expiration of his tenure Dr. Oboreh hopes to return back to the Delta State University, Abraka were he lectured before his appointment as Rector of the Ozoro polytechnic. Except the Almighty directs otherwise, Dr. Oboreh whose family is based in Abraka will continue to profess until retirement. He promised to complete building structures and internal road networks still under construction, adding that very soon the stadium will be commissioned by the state governor and he would continue to work till the last date of his appointment as Rector of the institution.

The professor disclosed that Ozoro polytechnic is a little above 12, 000 in population and he has been able to manage internal crisis successfully. Sexual harassment and intimidation of students by lecturers were treated with appropriate sanctions and punishment. He also stated that Ozoro polytechnic is 14years old and he has spent four years and half as Rector of the institution.

All the achievements in infrastructural and academic development of the institution were from his personal vision and managerial ability, stressing that he has accomplished the purpose as the rector and virtually his name is in all the structures from 2012 till date. He added that whosoever will continue from where he stopped would have a clear demarcation of vision and purpose.

Dr. Oboreh attributed the success in his tenure to God that gives the vision and wisdom, stressing that the Almighty gave the enabling environment and provision. He disclosed that there was no high-rise building when he took over the management of the institution. The vision for the stadium came through personal utterance, which eventually manifested. He said it was just the grace of God that saw him through in all the various achievements of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro.

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