By Balarabe Oshiafi
Still basking in the euphoria of the recent 61st anniversary, 26th and 29th combined convocation of the Federal polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, the bulwark of the residents of contiguous communities to the three campuses of the institution have continued to shower encomiums on its Rector, Dr Salisu Shehu Umar saying that the polytechnic and its neighbours have never had it so good.
When ExpressDay Newspaper did strategic visitations to the campuses last week, so many projects and construction works were seen going on From the paint factory on campus one to the zoological gardens and farms in campus three, works was going on.
“Beyond physical development, what Dr Umar has done or is new that we consider noble, novel and very encouraging is the culture of discipline and seriousness that he has instilled in us”, Joshua Egwakhide, and HND 11 SLT student told this Reporter.
“You cannot but be serious with your book work as a student of Auchi polytechnic. Every school and every department has logistics for entrepreneurial knowledge. The Rector appreciates that there are no jobs in the labour market in Nigeria, so he prepared us for self reliance upon graduation “, he added.
By the entrance to campus two, a food vendor who simply identified herself as Mummy Uche said, the administration of Dr Umar has kept the campus busier.
“That is simply what I have noticed from my little corner here. So many activities are going on apart from students going up and down or studying in the lecture halls. So many trucks bringing sand and gravel and I’m liking it. We are selling. We thank the Rector for what he is doing”, she enthused.
When the Rector who holds the traditional title of Giwa of Auchi Sacred Kingdom was one year in office, he held a media chat with this medium during which he pointed out that he is often reluctant to blow his own trumpet and would prefer that the impact that he is making is adjudged and appreciated by the polytechnic community and neighbours.
Flowing from this premise, this newspaper did a survey and the respondents adjudged Umar’s achievement as “unprecedented development”.
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Gideon Anetekhai does frequent stenographic work at Eborhieme business centre on campus one. He attributes Umar’s achievements to the fact that he is not from Edo State and is far removed from the local politics of the area.
“The Rector is from Zamfara State and is insulated from Etsako or Edo politics if you like. He is very purposive and want to leave lasting legacies. That is what you are seeing”, he said.
