The Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta, has matriculated 150 students in her maiden academic programme.
Rector of the institution, Dr Duke Okoro, admitted the matriculation oaths on the pioneer students on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the approval to establish the polytechnic was granted in 2022, while it commenced academic activities in 2023.
Addressing the matriculants, the rector urged them to take full advantage of the practical and industry-based skills to be impacted on them.
Okoro also encouraged the students to embrace the values of integrity, perseverance and innovation in the cause of their academic pursuit in the polytechnic.
“Let this institution be not just a place of learning, but a platform for growth, exploration and self-discovery.
“Here, you will not only acquire knowledge but also cultivate skills, nurture talents and foster lifelong friendships,” he said.
He urged the students to resist the temptation to take advantage of the new freedom on the campus and focus on their studies.
He reminded the students that the society was transitioning to a knowledge-based economy rather than a certificate-based economy, “which does not give room for indolence or lack of creativity”.
The rector assured of the institution’s commitment to providing the students with a conducive learning environment with its state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated team of educators.
He also said the polytechnic had zero tolerance for academic misconduct, urging them to uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical behaviour.
Okoro said the polytechnic was driven by a clear vision to be an institution grounded in cutting-edge digital literacy for vocational skills acquisition and character moulding.
He added that the institution’s mission was to provide digital literacy skills, and entrepreneurial education and training to promote self-reliance for societal growth.
“Our academic programmes are designed to meet the needs of today’s rapidly changing job market, grounded in real-world experience and hands-on learning.
“We anticipate a future with a wide variety of academic programmes spread among three schools: The School of Business Studies, the School of Applied Sciences and the School of Engineering.
“While we await the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)’s approval for the other nine programmes, we are excited to begin our academic programmes with the three already approved; Department of Administration and Management, Statistics, and Accounting,” he said.
He, however, charged the students to cooperate with the management in making the institution a beacon of academic excellence, a hub of innovation and a catalyst for positive societal change.
Also, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Mohammad Idris, described the event as a great milestone in the institution’s history.
Idris, represented by Mr Cyril Mbong, Zonal Director, South-South Zonal office of NBTE, urged the institution to uphold integrity and shun acts of illegalities, including over-enrolment.
He also called on the management to create an enabling environment to encourage the students to exhibit their ingenuities.
NAN reports that Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta was represented by his Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerovwo Tonukari. (NAN)
