…Rector Seeks Urgent Help for Perimeter Fence, Hostel Equipment
The Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has commended the remarkable progress of the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State, describing its growth and efficient utilization of TETFund interventions as exemplary for a young institution.
The commendation came on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, when a high-powered delegation of the Board, led by its South-South Representative, Hon. Aboh Uduyok, visited the institution on an oversight mission to assess the impact of TETFund projects.
Receiving the delegation in his office, the Rector, Prof. Duke Okoro, and other Principal Officers of the Polytechnic extended a warm Urhobo welcome to the visitors by presenting kolanuts — a traditional symbol of peace, unity, and hospitality.
The Rector thereafter led the team on an extensive tour of TETFund-sponsored projects, where the Board members expressed satisfaction with the quality of execution and the high maintenance standards across the facilities.
Prof. Okoro, in his remarks, expressed profound gratitude to the Board for its continuous support, describing the institution’s progress as a direct outcome of TETFund’s consistent interventions.
“Federal Polytechnic Orogun stands today as a testimony to what visionary leadership and TETFund support can achieve,” Okoro stated.
“Your timely interventions in physical infrastructure, equipment, and academic development have empowered us to deliver quality technical and technological education in line with the Federal Government’s vision for human capital development.”
He listed the institution’s major areas of benefit to include Academic Staff Training and Development (AST&D), Conference Attendance, Institution-Based Research (IBR), Library and ICT infrastructure, and the provision of studio and laboratory equipment.
While thanking the Board for its interventions, the Rector made a passionate appeal for urgent support in two key areas — the construction of a perimeter fence and the equipping of two 300-bed student hostels already completed at the permanent site.
“We are currently grappling with theft and vandalism due to the absence of perimeter fencing,” Okoro lamented.
“Several valuable items in our laboratories have been stolen. Also, hundreds of admitted students could not resume during the last academic session because of the high cost of private accommodation. We are appealing to TETFund to come to our aid in these areas.”
The Registrar, Mrs. Christine Aluyi, described the visit as “a great morale booster for both staff and students,” adding that TETFund remains “the lifeline of tertiary education development in Nigeria.” She assured the Board that the Polytechnic would maintain transparency, discipline, and adherence to due process in all its operations.
In a similar tone, the Polytechnic Librarian, Prof. Achugbue I. Edwin, lauded TETFund’s investment in ICT and knowledge infrastructure.
“Our library today boasts a robust e-resource section, modern reading spaces, and up-to-date materials — all made possible through TETFund’s interventions. The Polytechnic community remains grateful for these transformational impacts,” he said.
Responding, Hon. Aboh Uduyok expressed satisfaction with the level of development recorded within such a short period, applauding the institution’s leadership for prudent resource management.
“We are truly impressed by what we have seen here,” Uduyok stated. “Federal Polytechnic Orogun is a model among the new-generation Polytechnics. Some institutions established years before this one are still operating from rented buildings. You have done wonderfully well.”
He explained that the visit formed part of the BOT’s oversight responsibilities to verify that TETFund allocations are properly utilized nationwide.
“We are here to see things for ourselves and to ensure that taxpayers’ money is being used for what it was meant for. From what we have seen today, we are satisfied,” he said, assuring that the Polytechnic’s new requests would receive “prime attention” from the Board.
The visit ended with renewed assurances of continued collaboration between TETFund and Federal Polytechnic Orogun, as both parties pledged to deepen efforts toward advancing technical education, innovation, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
