INTRODUCTION
What is today known as Federal Polytechnic Nekede was established in 1978 by Edit No. 16 of the then Imo State Government, enacted by the Col, Sunday Adenihu Administration, It was then known as College of Technology (COTECH), Owerri. It started with the Head known as “Principal” in its temporary site, Government Technical College Owerri.
In 1980, the Institution was relocated to its permanent site at Nekede by the Chief Sam Mbakwe Administration. In 1987, the Imo State Government renamed the Institution as “The Polytechnic Nekede” and changed the designation of the Head of the Institution to “Rector”. In continuation of its metamorphosis, the Institution became known as Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, as its ownership and management was taken over by the Federal Government of Nigeria in April 1993.
GOVERNING COUNCILS IN THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNICS
Subject to the Federal Polytechnics Act of 1979, No 33, Chapter 139, section 3), each Polytechnic (including Federal Polytechnic Nekede) shall have a Council “which shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in its corporate name”.
FUNCTIONS OF COUNCIL
The functions of Councils in the Federal Polytechnics included but not limited to:
(i) The Council shall be the governing body of the Polytechnic concerned and shall have the general management of the affairs of the Polytechnic, in control of property and finances.
ii) it may acquire and hold movable and immovable property.
iii) it may enter into contracts
iv)It recommends to Mr President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria some candidates, out of which he appoints one as rector.
v)It appoints the Deputy Rector(s), the registrar, the bursar, and the polytechnic librarian.
vii) Etc.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL
Until 2019, the membership of the Councils for the Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria are constituted as follows:
a. A Chairman and the following other members
b. One person to represent the Universities
c. One person to represent the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
d. One person to represent professional bodies whose disciplines are taught at the polytechnic.
e. One person standing for the community where the Polytechnic is situated.
f. The Rector of the Polytechnic.
g. One representative of the Ministry, charged with responsibility for matters relating to Polytechnics.
h. One representative of the Director-General of the Ministry, charged with responsibility for matters relating to industries.
i. One representative of the Academic Board of the Polytechnic.
j. One representative of the State Ministry of Education.
k. Five other persons, at least one of whom shall be a woman, are to be selected each on his personal merit based on their contribution to either the development of industry, technology or commerce or their special interest in technical education.
l. The Registrar of the Institution as Secretary to Council.
However, what constitutes the Council membership, effective from 2019, as in the Polytechnic (Amendment) Act 2019 is as follows:
a. A Chairman and the following other members
b. Four persons, one of whom shall be a woman.
c. One person to represent the alumni association.
d. One representative of the host community.
e. The Rector
f. The Deputy Rector.
g. One person representing the Federal Ministry of Education.
h. Two persons, not below Chief Lecturer, to represent the Academic Board.
i. Three persons, not below Senior Lecturer or its equivalent, one shall be 2 non-teaching Staff, to represent the Congregation.
The Chairman and Members of Council, other than the ex-Official Members, shall be appointed by Mr. President, for a tenure of 3 years. The Registrar of the institution serves as the Secretary to Council.
EXISTENCE OF GOVERNING COUNCILS IN FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NEKEDE
Since its inception in 1978, there have been in existence, fourteen (14) Governing Councils in Federal Polytechnic Nekede, both when it was owned by Imo State Government and when it is owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
MEMBERS OF THE 14TH GOVERNING COUNCIL
The 14th Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Nekede was alongside of other polytechnics, inaugurated at Abuja on 20th April, 2021 with Chief Charles Chukwuma Amilo as the chairman.
Chairman of Council, Chief Amilo died on Friday, 31st December 2021. He was buried in his home town, Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra State on Friday, 4th March 2022. The students, staff, Management and Council members were present at the burial.
Consequent upon the demise of the Council Chairman, Chief Amilo, the Council at its 7th meeting held on 8th March 2022 and in pursuance of the extant rules of the Polytechnic Act, elected Sqdn. Ldr. Chima Idika Chima (Retd.) as the Ag. Chairman of Council until its next meeting.
THE CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL
THE RECTOR
Rep of Federal ministry of education/ Member.
Mr I.O Folorunsho VIEW PROFILE
MEMBER
ENGR Muhammad Rabiu Abubakar
MEMBER
Mrs Idaraesit ini okopido VIEW PROFILE
MEMBER
ENGR. Yakubu Bello VIEW PROFILE
Deputy Rector (Acad)/Member
Deputy Rector (Admin)/ Member
Rep, Academic Board/Member
Rep, Academic Board/ Member
VIEW PROFILE
Dr (Mrs) Basilia Igbokwe
Rep, Congregation/Member
Rep, Congregation/Member
Victor Nosike VIEW PROFILE
Rep, Congregation/ Member
Rep, Host Community/Member
Rep, Alumni Association/Member
Registrar/Secretary to the council
The Governing Councils in Federal Polytechnic Nekede usually meet once every quarter. They worked with several Statutory (and Adhoc) Committees such as:
1. Appointments & Promotions Committee (Senior Staff)
2. Appointments & Promotions Committee (Junior Staff)
3. Finance & General Purposes Committee (F&GPC)
4. Students Affairs Council Committee (SACC)
5. Projects Monitoring & Evaluation Committee (PM&EC)
6. Council Disciplinary Committee (CDC)
Also, note as follows:
The 14th Council held its inaugural meeting in the Polytechnic and also had an interactive session with the Polytechnic community on Wednesday, 30th June 2021.
Dr (Mrs) A.N. Nwosu, former Deputy Rector (Admin.), was a Member of the 14th Governing Council until 7th Sept. 2021.
Dr Uzoma Ibeaja became Deputy Rector (Admin.)/Council Member with effect from 8th March 2022.