FEDPOFFA: A Sightseeing of Development Under Engr. Dr. Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin FNSE ( 1 )
“`A Travelogue By Oluwasegun Ojo ( Abuja)
“`
After visiting the Federal Polytechnic Offa, my alma mata for the first time since my graduation, I changed my negative orientation about the popular mantra of ‘Nigeria go better’. My initial thought when people say ‘Nigeria go better’ is always in negative because I have assumed the country is damaged beyond repair in the hand of corrupt leaders. People at the helm of affairs have crippled the progress of the country through self aggrandizement agenda.
But my recent journey to the Federal Polytechnic Offa with the level of development and transformation I witnessed under the leadership of Engr. Dr. Kadiri Kamoru instilled hope in me that Nigeria still possess good leaders who are passionate about growth and development.
Without mincing words, the present Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Offa is the real architect of change and transformation, goal oriented and visionary to move Federal Polytechnic Offa from its current position to the next level.
It does not take a century to effect change, change begins with a step. In just about one year, the Polytechnic has witnessed the growth of five years with speedy transformation.
My first point of contact was the mini campus front page. Initially, I thought I was in another school with aesthetic value of green and white paints on the trees outside the mini campus, with the perimeter fence wearing a new look. I spoke to myself that the gateway of my alma mata now looks like a campus. The Rector has given a purpose to those trees, which is aesthetic value of the polytechnic outskirts. When one approaches the Polytechnic area from Osun State or from Ilorin, one will not look at another side but the Polytechnic because of its aesthetic appearance. Kudos to the Rector for making the environment to look like a campus.
My inquisitiveness propelled me to ask about the building near the mini campus gate, and I was informed it is meant for a bakery(FEDPOFFA Bread). It was that moment I commenced to rain prayers on the Rector for setting the record of establishing a bakery after 32 years of existence of the Polytechnic. Other Polytechnics have grown beyond that, but who did the Federal Polytechnic Offa offend? Absolutely none, it is a choice of leadership.
While making my adventure, I noticed the long time abandoned internal roads at the Polytechnic mini campus have been rehabilitated. The mini campus where I had my ND was like a market square and motor garage, the environment is now serene and pleasing to eyes. All the linkage roads have been upgraded and perched right from the main road. It is a remarkable project.
As I proceeded, I saw a newly renovated ICT building, a building almost rotten for many years has been given a facelift, I equally noticed a pop-up of Wi-Fi connection tagged ‘Fedpoffa Cloud’. It was like a miracle to me that the Wi-Fi I never experienced throughout my four years now in place. Like I said, development is possible, it is just a matter of mindset. The impossibility is possible, Fedpoffa now enjoys Wi-Fi with enhanced internet connectivity. God is really wonderful.
At a point, I was thirsty and needed to get water, I bought water and noticed the nylon was labelled FEDPOFFA Water. Initially, I smiled and asked a question jokingly if they were importing the water somewhere and the woman happily answered, ” No, aa ko omi wa lati ta oo, ise Rector yi ni oo” meaning we didn’t import water from outside, it is the work of this Rector. I almost shed tears of joy that God has answered the Federal Polytechnic Offa with a visionary leader.
It was a shame in the time past that the Polytechnic established in 1992 cannot produce common pure water. Kudos to the one who made it a reality.
Going ups and downs to look at the venues where I had lectures when I was in school, I stumbled on a market, I asked what was going on, and I was informed all forms of street market had been relocated to a designated location. The Polytechnic community before was littered with small shops and markets defacing the institution. The visionary Rector has set up an organized market. An indication that the institution is now working with a master plan.
Just few days ago, I read it online that the Polytechnic has been granted hosting rights to host Nigeria Polytechnics Game for the year 2024 for the first time in history. Another avenue for infrastructural development of the Polytechnic stadium and other sporting facilities. I have never seen the present Rector before, but I will tag him “Akorede, Kolawolu,” these names, to my non Yoruba audience, means the architect of good fortunes.
The Mini campus that has been abandoned for many years is back to life. Kudos to the visionary Rector.
With full authority, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Engr. Dr. Kadiri Kamoru has set many records in the history of the Polytechnic in almost one year of assumption of office. A rare achiever and goal getter. May God continue to crown his efforts successfully.
This writer has not visited the Permanent Site when writing this feature, the story to be continued…
*Oluwasegun Ojo is a graduate of mass communication from the Federal Polytechnic Offa. A journalist and public affairs analyst. He writes from Abuja*
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