Busy Brain
The journey began in January 2022 when the baton was transferred to Dr. Olarongbe Akanbi Afolabi as the Acting Rector of The Federal Polytechnic Offa after the end of the tenure of the 4th substantive Rector, Dr. Lateef Ademola Olatunji.
All that has a beginning must have an end and what matters most is not the beginning, the end always justifies the means. For Dr. Olarongbe, he has a beautiful beginning and ends meritoriously.
In the word of Kofi George Awoonor, The firewood of this world is for only those who take heart and that is why not all can gather it. In any establishment, the position of a Chief Executive is not like a bed of roses, it is for the brave whose pragmatic and diplomatic instincts are indefatigable.
Dr. Olarongbe Afolabi is a pragmatic and diplomatic leader. His pragmatism and diplomacy are embedded in his leadership style. He is a man that believes in teamwork and team spirit.
From his first meeting with the staff assembly, he promised to “leave an indelible mark that would stand the test of time even if he is going to spend a week in the acting capacity.” As a man of his word, he puts his best into practice with worthwhile achievements within a turbulent year and left a remarkable mark that can never be erased in the history of the Polytechnic.
The past 12 months were episodes of challenges. A very tough, torrid, and tortuous exploration. Dr. Olarongbe weathered the storm and stood firmly to make his name count in the forest of the brave. Today, his name has been counted on the pages of history where those who make change possible can never be forgotten.
His interim administration was focused on staff welfare, and institutional development to propel the Polytechnic to the zenith of academic excellence.
Dr. Olarongbe placed the Polytechnic among institutions that can be proud of a standard bookshop. His administration successfully constructed a Central Store, an extension of the Bursary Department, and his era witnessed the construction of a 500-capacity Lecture Theatre donated by NNPC, construction of Science Laboratory Technology phase ll sponsored by TETfund.
To further mention some of his achievements, his administration is known for regular and prompt payment of the salaries of outsourced staff. Payment of 9 months responsibility allowance for 2021, payment of end of the year (2021) incentive, part payment of accumulated 2012, 2013, and 2015 local CONTISS 15 arrears, payment of one month out of two months outstanding salary for staff employed in 2019, purchase of Bus from acceptance fee, massive repairs and renovations of classrooms, lecture theatres and students’ hostels, mobilization of contractor to proceed with work on the installation of a 33KVA transformer and connection of the transformer to the National Grid for stable power supply in the Polytechnic, procurement of ten Fireman (10KVA) petrol generators, sponsoring of Polytechnic researchers to National exhibition organized by Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in Abuja, sponsoring of seminars/workshops to enhance staff productivity, sponsoring of polytechnic athletes to games with rewards for outstanding performances and his administration is a beneficiary of Nigeria/Zech Republic Joint Research and Development Project Fund. The Federal Polytechnic Offa is the only Polytechnic selected for such benefit.
Dr. Olarongbe within a period of one year did all he could do and can not be judged for what he didn’t do. The largest room in the world is the room for improvement and that is why perfection is not attainable. The Federal Polytechnic Offa is larger than any mortal to fulfill all its demands within a year. You can only be given space to deliver what you have to offer. For Dr. Olarongbe, he has conquered what the nature and resources at his disposal avail him and his legacies would be his testimonials when time tries to examine them.
Beyond the time spent as an administrator, the mantra engraved in the nooks and crannies of the Polytechnic shall remain. “The Poly is changing, no longer business as usual.”
All his achievements are a concatenation of maximum support from the Governing Council, Principal Officers, Management Staff, Management Committees, Academic Board, Staff Unions, and the Polytechnic Community.
Today, the baton no longer stays with him, it has been shifted to another finesse, pragmatic and diplomatic administrator, Mr. Eghe M. Igbinehi. Congratulations to the newly appointed acting Rector, may your tenure be fruitful and productive.
May Dr. Olarongbe Afolabi continue to encounter mercies in his subsequent endeavors.
Even when tomorrow is on the run, it shall be greater than today and ‘Yester years.’
Big Congratulations to the great man. The Agitator. Continue Reading
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