Fides Media Living the Faith
By Jude Atupulazi
The Rector, Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu (ANSPOLY), Dr. Nneka C. Mefoh, has handed over the mantle of leadership of the only state-owned polytechnic to the Institution’s Deputy Rector who also doubles as the ANSPOLY TETFund Desk Officer, as she bows out of office as the pioneer Rector after successfully and meritoriously completing her first term in office.
The remarkable event which took place on Tuesday, 5th July, at the Multipurpose Hall of the institution, saw the Deputy Rector, Dr. Njideka Chiekezie, receive the baton, pending the appointment of a substantive Rector.
It will be recalled that the Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu, came into existence in 2017 following the upgrade of the defunct Anambra State College of Agriculture, Mgbakwu, to a polytechnic status by the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano, and was established by the Anambra State Polytechnic Mgbakwu Law 2017, passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly and assented to by the executive arm.
Dr. Mefoh, who was the Ag. Provost of the College of Agriculture, was retained as the pioneer Ag. Rector of ANSPOLY which position was made substantive in March, 2018, thus making her the first and pioneer Rector of the polytechnic.
Earlier in her brief remarks, Mefoh thanked God for leading her through the years of service and for the successes recorded in the Institution under her watch, stating that even though the law allowed her to go for a second term, she was happy with her administration’s achievements despite many challenges and so would not be going for a second term.
In her words, ‘Our spirits should be high that despite all odds, God sustained me to complete the 4-year term and in His infinite mercies allowed the three months extension for His purposes. It is glorious indeed.’
She expressed gratitude to past governors of the state and to the present governor of Anambra State, for finding her worthy to serve in the capacity of the rector and for their great interest in ANSPOLY, while appreciating past and present members of the executive, legislative and Judicial Council of the State; as well as all ANSPOLY Internal and External Publics.
Going further, she thanked the NBTE, JAMB and TETFund, for giving ANSPOLY the needed national and international recognitions and appreciated all her past and present Management Team, staff and students and the Governing Council.
She prayed for the New Management of ANSPOLY to achieve greater success and heights and for the Governor to take the only state-owned polytechnic to an enviable height and position and take greater care of the welfare and affairs of the staff members and students.
Receiving the baton, Dr. Chiekezie thanked the ANSPOLY Visitor, Governing Council, Principal Functionaries and the outgoing Rector, Dr Mefoh, for the opportunity to serve and promised to continue with the Rector’s Legacies; even as she called for support and encouragement from the Council, Management Team, staff members and students of the polytechnic and the Internal and External Publics to achieve success.
In his speech, the Ag. Chairman, ANSPOLY Governing Council, Prof. Ifedioramma Eugene-Mary Nwana, on behalf of the Council and the Polytechnic thanked Dr. Mrs. Mefoh for what he described as her selfless and sacrificial services in ANSPOLY and to the state.
The Registrar of the polytechnic and Secretary of Council, Barr Samuel U. Nnana, PhD, in his brief remarks highlighted the great achievements of the outgoing Rector and commended her for her selfless services even as he congratulates the New Head of Institution and prays for more success stories.