Auchi Poly: Echoes of a Transformational Administration

By Balarabe Oshiafi

It was late Lord Denning, one of the world’s legal luminaries who said in a theory he propounded on minimizing diatribes: “If we fail to do what has not been done before, we won’t get anywhere”.

The focal point of the theory was the management that is centered on the minimisation of loses and the actualisation of set objectives in a such a way that disharmony at the work place will be reduced to the barest minimum if not totally obliterated.

This writer with the benefit of hindsight would like to state without equivocation that the current academic and general managerial well being of Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State, is novel, refreshing and exemplary.

During a recent tour of the citadel of learning it was manifestly clear that the Administration of the current Rector, Dr Salisu Shehu Umar, places premium on the quality of studentship in much the same way as it carries along academic departmental heads, non academic members of staff as well as the Student Union government (SUG). In words bereft of unfounded praise singing, the many and varied respondents affirmed that Dr Salisu Shehu Umar has in his one year in Office as Rector demonstrated an astonishing stamina for hard work and boundless efficiency.

Check out the words of the Auchi Polytechnic Chapter Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) Bamidele Osemudiamen on the impetus Dr Umar has brought upon the running of the School, nay administration of higher Institutions in Nigeria: “I came into office as ASUP Chairman in August. I can’t see what the administration of Dr. Umar has not done because all the requests that we outlined have been attended to. When this Rector came in, the cottage hospital lacked adequate man power to cater for the health needs of staff and students. He hired workers and also made drugs available”.

He added that on December 8, management circulated a memo to the effect that members of staff who had qualified and wanted conversion to lecturer cadre should present themselves. This exercise was done and the transparency is unprecedented.

My vision for this School is so large that I look at it as if I’ve not been able to achieve much”, Dr. Umar said.

The SUG President, Comrade Ogane Eshiofune Paul while commending the Rector and his style of administration said, We have access and our prayers are often answered without delay. I must seize this opportunity to thank the Rector. For instance, there was a time our travelling students were stranded due to high cost of transport. We approached management and a bus was made available to convey Students to their destinations”.

What this writer finds novel and exemplary is the research driven, entrepreneurial initiatives of Auchi Polytechnic. Mohammed Muktar Iregha a Principal Lecturer and the acting Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CEDAP) of the Institution.
He had this to say, “CEDAP was established in 2006 when the federal government introduced entrepreneurship in the academic Programmes and Auchi Polytechnic was chosen in the South South on a regional basis. This administration drives CEDAP optimally. The Rector’s eye of close supervision and maintenance is always here. Now all our farms and other facilities have been revamped”.

Corroborating this position, another Principal Lecturer and Director of the Centre for Research, Innovation and Development (CRID), Shaibu Ismael Omade posited that the School has become a magnetizing higher Institution because of a renewed determination to break news grounds.

“CEDAP and CRID are daily collaborating to drive research and productivity and encouragement is coming from TETFUND. The Rector ensures we get what we want for research and development.

As his administration approaches one year, despite palpable and manifest Impact, the Giwa of Auchi Sacred Kingdom demonstrates reluctance in scoring himself high. He’d rather rededicate himself to his avowal of making the Institution a centre of teaching and learning excellence.