FPOG New Rector, Dr Victor Okolobah Embarks on Facility Tour Around Campus, Synergise with Organised Unions

Consequent upon the expiration of the six (6) months Ag. Rector tenureship of Dr Olumide Simeon Ogunnusi, which elapsed on Friday 19th April, 2024. the Federal Ministry of Education, as a way of entrenching to the seamless daily operations of the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny (FPOG) appointed Dr Victor Okolobah as the Acting Rector of the Institution with effect from Saturday, April 20, 2024.

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Prior to his latest assignment, the latest Chief Executive of the Polytechnic served as the Deputy Rector of the Polytechnic 

Immediately after his assumption of office, the Ag. Rector, Dr Victor Okolobah, considered it crucial to embark on an inspection tour around the institution to assess the state of affairs and see things for himself.

In the course of the maiden inspection tour, Dr Okolobah discovered a handful of infrastructural deficits involving; two (2) lecture halls; (HND classroom, EEET hall 7, NDII classroom) and one studio (students drawing room) as well as the two students' Hostels (male and female) on campus, which were all found in a state of disrepair and unsafe for students and staff.

Against this backdrop, the Ag. Rector, swung into action by requesting the presence of the Ag. Director of Works, Engr. Itode Moses, to carry out a critical evaluation on possible positive steps to remedy the identified dilapidated infrastructure.

Afterwards, the Ag. Rector participated in an interactive meeting with members of the various labour unions in the Institution namely; The Joint Action Committee (JAC) which consists of three Labour Unions being: 

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(1) The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP)

(2) The Pioneer Union on Campus-Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) and

(3) The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) a sandwich of both the senior and junior staffers. 

Speaking in the meeting from a standpoint of his experience in unionism, the Ag. Rector who had once served in a sister institution as ASUP Chairman promised that 'staff and students welfare' matters were in the front burner of his agenda, assuring of a positive developmental impact for the speedy growth of the institution towards being in the national and global map of thriving academic institutions.

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The Ag. Rector, urged the tripartite labour unions to sensitize its members, uphold the job ethics with all sense of diligence, suing for attitudinal change for good towards upscaling productivity in the various departments and units of the Polytechnic.

The Ag Rector frowned at lateness to work by staff, which was his observation at arrival, calling on all hands to be on desk towards being a pace setting institution in the country.

Remarking further, the Ag. Rector cautioned against leakages in the various departments/units of the institution, adding that his administration had zero tolerance for all forms of malfeasance and disingenuity under any guise whatsoever.

He shared his experience at the Federal Ministry of Education, with respect to the keen anticipated promotional letters by staff as presented by the tripartite union (JAC) with respect to the delayed approval/issuance of promotional letters as well as payment of outstanding promotional arrears. 

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The Ag. Rector, however promised his unwavering support towards achieving the January, 2024 promotion, as 90% of the process was already achieved.

Dr Okolobah further urged the Registrar, not to hesitate on the issuance of the promotional letters to staff within (24 hours) upon approval.