…Says, “I’m a child of necessity.”
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Following the obvious absent of (the usual) Governing Council in Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Deputy Rector of the institution, Dr. Obarakpo James Samuel, has been directed to assume the position of Rector of the Poly, in an acting capacity, in order not to create a vacuum.
It was gathered that, the Polytechnic Governing Council was recently relief of its functions, owing to the new administration in the country, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which had, therefore, rendered the council non-existent.
Dr Obarakpo Samuel’s position as Acting Rector became imperative due to the expiration of the single Five years’ tenure of the outgone Rector, Dr Alhassan Abdullahi, ESV, on 1st of January, 2024.
Speaking to a group of journalists in his office at Nasarawa, Dr Obarakpo Samuel said he will build on the existing structures laid down by the immediate past Rector, who has made tremendous contributions in the development of the institution, academically and otherwise.
“So, I am going to contribute on the existing development already established by the former Rector. So, you know, I am only a child of necessity; my appointment was arrived at, in order to fill in the gap.
Continuing, Dr Abarakpo said he will work hard in meeting the aspirations of his colleagues, and ensure that the various challenges as faced by both teaching and none teaching staff are mitigated.
“That is the legacy I will strive to achieve, because I am an insider, who knows what my colleagues, the students and the host community want. So, I will not do anything different from the immediate past Rector, who in his time as Rector had done well,” he added.
On whether he inherited any liability, Dr Samuel said “Any responsible institution cannot shy away from any challenge, adding that a responsive leadership will naturally work towards meeting it in one way or the other. So, there are responsibilities to carry on with,” he added.