By Ijendu Iheaka
The Abia Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ikechi Mgboji, has urged indigenes of the state to support the state government’s effort in ensuring that the state polytechnic survives its present challenges.
Mgboji made the plea at the 24th matriculation ceremony of the polytechnic in Aba on Thursday.
He spoke against the backdrop of the strike embarked upon by staff of the institution.
Mgboji congratulated the matriculating students and urged them to strive for the best in their academics and lifestyle in general.
He also urged the students to remember to be of assistance to the institution whenever they had such an opportunity, adding that forgetting one’s roots was one of the major problems of Nigerians
.
The commissioner reacting to the action of staff members of the institution who carried placards at the ceremony to protest the non-payment of their salaries for nine months said to the students:
“You are joining an institution that is at the moment facing some serious challenges.
“Though today is supposed to be a day of joy for you, as you witnessed about five or 10 minutes ago, some of the staff here in the true tradition of democracy and freedom of speech have cause to express some of their grievances.
“I am very happy that they were allowed to express themselves and that this institution also acted with a great deal of maturity.’’
He urged the students to feel free within the institution’s environment to search for and speak the truth at all times.
The commissioner said that the truth sometimes could be very inconveniencing and painful but must be spoken to make the society better and set it on the path of progress.
Mgboji said that the polytechnic was facing serious challenges but expressed optimism that the institution would survive with the support of every student and staff.
The Acting Rector of the polytechnic, Prof. Ezionye Eboh, commended the management and staff for successfully processing the 2018 admission of students for National and Higher National Diplomas.
While congratulating the students, Eboh gave an assurance that the polytechnic would deliver quality services to the students during their stay.
He, however, warned the students against cultism, examination malpractices and other anti-social behaviours that could destroy their career and future.
Eboh also urged the students to pursue academic and moral excellence.
The polytechnic matriculated about 3,049 registered students in its morning and evening programmes in four colleges.
They are of School Business and Management Technology (1,776 students); School of Environmental Design and Technology (99 students); School of Engineering Technology (278 students) and School of Science and Industrial Technology (896 students).
Although the presence of protesting staff members distracted the matriculating students from joining the Acting Registrar, Mrs Charity Nwaabughiogu to recite their matriculation oath, the event was, however, peacefully concluded.
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