FEDPUKA Alumni lauds Rector’s Extraordinary Achievements
The Alumni of Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, have conferred an award of outstanding performance on the Rector of the institution, Dr. Uduak Sunday Ukekpe describing him as the best gift from God to the institution.
The award was conferred on Dr Ukekpe in the Conference room of Administrative Building,Main Campus last Monday in recognition of his commitment to laying an enduring foundation and legacy of development in the institution.
According to the leader of the Alumni delegation, Comr. Asuabiat Effiong, the Alumni was overwhelmed by the capacity demonstrated by the Rector in projecting the school positively and have come to say thank you.
In his words,” in Romans 1: 21, the Bible stated categorically that ingratitude is a sin hence we have come to appreciate the man whom God has used to turn our alma mata into an extraordinary institution ” he said.
Comr. Utomobong Sunday, who is a pioneer student of the institution in 2015 and currently a member representing the Alumni in the Governing Council, was full of nothing but praises for the Rector who has come and changed the narrative of Federal Polytechnic, Ukana. He recalled how his friends would mock him by referring to institution back then as a glorified nursery school. He thanked Dr. Ukekpe for putting the polytechnic in a vintage position in the comity of Polytechnics in the country.
In their separate remarks, Comr. Akwaabasi Joseph and Comr. Chizoba O. Patrick who represented Alumni from different sets, commended Dr. Ukekpe for remoulding the institution to the admiration of all and sundry, especially stake holders in education. Comr. Joseph narrated how tough it was for him to convince his parents to attend the school in 2016 because of the state of the school with his parents referring to the Main Campus of the Institution as a thick forest .
Another student Comr. Chizoba on his part extolled the Rector for the standard of education in Federal Polytechnic, Ukana testifying that his foundation in education in the Polytechnic, has made him stand out at University of Uyo, where his is currently studying for his degree.
The President of the Students Union, Comr. Odudu Udo, commended the Alumni for their love for their Alma mata and sought for their cooperation in order to ensure that the institution moves forward.
The high point of the meeting was the presentation of an award of outstanding performance and a picture plaque to the Rector Dr. Uduak S. Ukekpe by members of the FEDPUKA Alumni.
Dr. Ukekpe in his response appreciated the team for the award and prayed that God will cause them to be celebrated in their lifetime.
He further stated that the award meant a lot to him and his management team noting that it is God who deserves all the praise for all that has happened in the institution of over the years. In his words,
” God has been the master minder of all you see today . First He made my vision a reality and again he gave me a competent and cooperative Management team who share same vision as myself to work with me , so I am forever grateful to Him. I will convey your appreciation of our progress to Management and I believe it will spur us to do more ” he said.
Dr. Ukekpe noted that the Alumni of every institution should be empowered and be more vibrant to support the developmental strides of their alma mater, and called for the formation of a formidable alumni association for the Polytechnic with it’s attendant benefits to the institution and students. According to the Rector, Alumni Association is very important in the Polytechnic system and has been recognized in Polytechnic, Act.
Speaking on the development of the institution, the polytechnic boss stressed that the foundation of everything is very important , which is why he will not compromise the standard of education in the institution and will not tolerate any form of financial inducement by any student to obtain marks from lecturers.
In a vote of thanks, the Registrar of the Polytechnic, Dr. Okon J. Ekanem, stated that God brought the institution this far courtesy of the Rector who He used to change the narrative. He urged members of the Alumni to uphold integrity and avoid any act that will tarnish the name of the institution.
