By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese in Anambra State, His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, has called on the Acting Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Uche Onyegbu to use his position for the good and betterment of all.
Cardinal Okpaleke handed the advice at Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Ogidi, last Sunday during the Thanksgiving Mass in honour of the Acting Rector, Dr Onyegbu and his family, for God’s goodness and uplift.
Okpalaeke in his homily urged Dr. Onyegbu to keep watch over all the flock which God gave him to oversee at the institution, adding that such exalted position came with big responsibilities.
‘Today, God has given you the responsibility to shepherd the staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko. It is now your duty to mentor them and lead them to the path of godliness.
‘God has reason for elevating us to certain positions, and now that you are the Rector, God expects you to use this position for the good of all. See this position as the opportunity to make the world better,’ Cardinal Okpalaeke exhorted him.
He also called on other Christians all over the world to also form a spirit-filled relationship with the shepherd.
‘We have all been chosen by God to play certain roles in society, always ask God for his enablement to fulfill His purpose for you. Do what is good and let the future be bright for the ones entrusted in our hands,’ he further charged.
The Acting Rector, Dr. Onyegbu, thanked God for giving him the opportunity to serve in that capacity, promising to do his best in contributing to the development of society.
‘I started from the scratch. I served many Rectors in different capacities and they all believed in me.
‘In the same vein, I am calling on those working with me to be diligent and dedicated to duty so that God will one day elevate them to their desired positions. Today is the happiest day in my life,’ Onyegbu said.
He noted that his elevation to the position of Acting Rector was a clear manifestation of the fact that what God could not do did not exist.
Dr. Onyegbu was appointed the Acting Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Oko on February 5th, 2024 by the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, through the Federal Ministry of Education, after his predecessor, Engr. Dr. Francisca Unoma Nwafulugo, served out her five years single term.
Dignitaries that attended the Thanksgiving Mass included former Rectors; Prof. Eugene Nwadialor; Prof. Ugochukwu Nzewi and Engr. Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo and her husband, Engr. Princlytheeo Nwafulugo.
Others included, the traditional ruler of Ufuma, Igwe Chika Uchime and his Atani counterpart, Igwe Arc. Augustine Ngoddy; member Representing Aguata 1 Constituency, Hon. Anayo Okpaleke; Cabinet members of Ogidi traditional stool; Vice Chancellor Unizik, represented by the Director of Certificate and Diploma programme, Dr. Florence Amaka Akudo; principal officers of the Polytechnic; Deans and Directors; leaders and members of unions in the institution, including Academic Union of Polytechnics Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics; Non Academic Staff Union among others.
