Oko Poly Rector, Engr. Dr Francisca Unoma Nwafulugo
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
In line with her developmental, strides and achievements the first female Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo has inaugurated the Women In Technical Education (WITED) Oko Chapter, under strict observance of COVID-19 protocols.
The August occasion took place on Wednesday at the Ultra Modern Auditorium, Extension site of the Polytechnic.
The Women in Technical Education (WITED) is a body set up in 1988 as an International Project of Commonwealth Association of Polytechnic Rectors in Africa (CAPA) with the objective of improving the participation of the girl child in technical education for enhanced national development.
The 10 member executives of the association include Ezemba Nwabu as Co-ordinator Oko Chapter, Dr. Egwuchukwu Ifensor as Secretary, Dr. Udoka Nwosu as Assistant Secretary, Dr. Ngozi Onwuka as PRO 1, Mrs Ossai Nneka as PRO 2.
Others are Dr. Ifeoma Muonago as facilitator, Mrs. Obioma Onwumelu as Welfare Officer 1, Chinyere Akunebuni as Welfare Officer 2, Mrs. Helen Anunike Financial Secretary and Barr. Ochuba Ogugua.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Nwafulugo who chaired the occasion, harped on the need for men and women to join hands together to motivate and encourage the girl child to become confident in herself and seek develop her full potential in full, stating that the girl child needs to be self reliant by maximizing the possibilities that technical education needs.
The Rector described the event as apt, thanking God for the reality of the programme, “part of activities outlined for this maiden event is the inauguration of WITED Federal Polytechnic Oko Chapter.
The Rector expressed optimism that the Inauguration will go a long way in positively advancing the couse of WITED.
“Membership is open for both male and female gender. WITED aims at encouraging females to engage in all fields of learning without gender discrimination. Another thing is to co-operate with other agencies to enhance the participation of females in development, particular in technical fields at all levels”. She noted.
In her speech, the National Co-ordinator of WITED, Princess Regina Elechi-Amadi commended the chapter for organizing the event in a conducive environment, charging the new executives to work assiduously in line with the objectives of the association.
In her inaugural speech, the Coordinator of WITED Oko Chapter, Mrs. Nwabu Ezemba, who assured that WITED under her watch will extend the objectives of the association to various schools, pledged commitments and promised to deliver in the course of her duty as the chapter coordinator.
While thanking the Rector, and the National Coordinator of the association for the inauguration Mrs. Ezemba expressed confidence that WITED Oko Chapter will always top high in all her activities nationally.
“I want to assure you that we will in our own little way extend the objectives of this great association to your individual schools to ensure that we catch you when you are still young and inculcate the tenets of the association into your choice of professions”. Nwabu explained.
The event climaxed with swearing in of the new executives that will run the affairs of the association, presentation of certificate of membership to Principal Officers of the Polytechnic, while cultural dancers treated the guests to gusto even as spectators struggled to catch a glimpse of the exhilarating display.
