By: Farouk Maigari
With all modesty and by the special grace of God, we have been working earnestly since our coming on board in the last one year to sustain, consolidate and improve on the developments we met on the ground to further develop the Institution. Dr. Al-Hassan is determined to further develop the Polytechnic so as to create a conducive environment for research, teaching, and learning. Accordingly, he has identified and prioritized the major challenges facing the Polytechnic, and he has taken the bull by the horn in addressing these challenges among which include:
- Restoration of Peace and Stability:
Peace, which is paramount for any meaningful development to take place was restored by me immediately on the assumption of duty. This singular achievement gave room and atmosphere for other activities to be carried out perfectly.
Our effort in restoring peace was aptly captured by our august Visitor, the Honourable Minister of Education, in his speech during the Institution’s last combined 9th Convocation Ceremony where he asserted that: ‘I am aware that the Polytechnic is a peaceful one. It is to the credit of the Acting Rector and the entire Polytechnic that they have been able to arrest the drift and restore stability, peace, and order to the Institution. I commend him and his management team …’
- The Hosting of the Combined 9th Convocation Ceremony:
This convocation ceremony has lingered for years, as the last ceremony was hosted in 2013. Dr. Abdullahi Al- Hassan’s administration was able to host the convocation ceremony on 30th June 2018, exactly, five (5) months after assumption of office as the
Acting Rector. Over 20,000 graduands were graduated comprising of the 2013/2014, 2014/2015, 2015/2016, and 2016/2017 academic year graduands. With this development, the polytechnic has no single backlog of graduands awaiting convocation.
iii. The Completion of the Construction and Furnishing of the Administrative Block Extension:
Office accommodation for some of the principal officers was among our major challenges. Surprisingly, the two (2) deputy rectors appointed had no. In this regard, the effort was made to complete the administrative block extension through our finite IGR, to provide more offices.
FUD ranked No.1 University in Nigeria,21st in Africa – Scimago, Spain.
- Rehabilitation of the entire Administrative Block and Landscaping:
The entire Administrative Block was equally rehabilitated and landscaped to give it a facelift and a conducive environment.
- Complete Rehabilitation of Students’ Hostel:
Students hostels were in a dilapidated condition, at the time Dr. Abdullahi Al- Hassan took over as the Rector. Accordingly, his administration has succeeded in rehabilitating the hostels for the comfort of our Power, water, and toilet problems were thoroughly addressed.
- Procurement/Rehabilitation of Classroom/Laboratory Furniture:
More furniture was procured for the classrooms and laboratories to address the acute shortage we were experiencing, which consequentially was hindering effective teaching and learning, and our admission.
vii. Rehabilitation and Equipping of the Polytechnic Clinic: The Clinic facility was rehabilitated and cached with drugs for effective service delivery to staff, students, and the host community. With this development, revenue is being generated from the services being rendered in the Clinic, with which we will continue to maintain the Clinic and provide essential facilities.
viii. Procurement and Installation of a New 500KVA
Transformer: As at the time Dr. Abdullahi came on board, one of the power transformers that services the Academic area was faulty, hence affecting the power supply in the Polytechnic. We have since procured and Installed a brand new 500KVA transformer in the polytechnic.
- Provision of Students’ Transportation To and Fro the Students’ Village and the Permanent Site as well as within the Campus:
Transporting students from the student’s hostels to the campus for lectures was a grave problem, as there were no means of transportation except the few commercial buses that charge exorbitant fares.
In this case, buses were provided through an arrangement with Abuja Transport Authority as an interim measure. And already, Dr. Abdullahi’s administration has secured approval from the Tetfund to procure a Marcopolo Bus for the students. Also as the campus is fast-growing, there was a problem of transportation, especially for mo Accordingly, the arrangement was made with the motorcycle riders, and he now has regulated commercial motorcycles on the campus.
- Repair of Potholes to make the Roads Motorable:
We have repaired the potholes on our roads, to make it motorable and ease the sufferings of those plying the roads.
- Provision of Identity Cards for Staff and Students:
The issue of identity cards for staff and students has remained a major challenge in the Polytechnic, such that some of our students graduated without being provided with ID cards. Dr. Abdullahi has since addressed this challenge.
RESEARCH GRANTS AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES
Within a few months on the saddle of activities, the first indigenous rector of the host community was able to attract the following funds and interventions:
(a) Secure the release of AIP for the merged normal intervention to 2014, 2015, and 2016 for TETFUND.
(b) Secure the release of funds for the execution of merged normal intervention for the period.
(c) Secure zonal intervention for the supply of furniture as well as the procurement of library books.
(d) Secure the release of research grants.
(e) Secure the release of grants for fabrication.
(f) Attract collaboration from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria to month BSc in all Engineering Courses of which resource visitation has already been conducted by ABU Research Persons).
(g) We are in the top and fruitful discussions with PTDF, NCC, and CBN for their direct intervention in our various activities.
(h) I have ensured the release of funds for staff training and development.
(i) I have ensured the release of funds for conferences/workshops for staff.
