The emergence of Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi as the Executive Governor of Enugu State on 29th May, 2015 signalled a significant daybreak in the anal of Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo.
The polytechnic which was then known as Enugu State College of Agriculture and Agro-Entrepreneurship is domiciled at the premises of defunct Teachers’ Training College, Iwollo and inherited some shanty structures and dilapidated buildings of the College. It was until 2015 being referred to as a glorified secondary school.
It is worthy of note that educational development in Enugu State remains one of the cardinal objectives of His Excellency’s Four Points Agenda on assumption of office in 2015. And in a bid to transform the life of the nascent institution, His Excellency did not waste time in appointing a target oriented Governing Council headed by a pragmatic politician cum economist, Hon. Barr Chinedu Hilary Onu for Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo in the month of March, 2017 and it was a most appropriate period as ESPOLY was in dire need of purposeful leadership. Loaded with vision and strong will to deliver, Hon Chinedu Hilary Onu did not waste time to express his good leadership prowess both in words and actions. Few months after the official inauguration of the Governing Council he immediately organised a two-day-programmes parked-seminar termed, “Visioning Session” that spanned 26th through 27th February, 2018 at the popular, “Dmatel Hotel & Resort, Enugu,”.
Chairman Governing Council and some staff of Espoly during visioning session
As intended, the visioning session provided a robust and significant roadmap for transforming and repositioning of Enugu State Polytechnic Iwollo as a leading and innovative institution, East of the Niger,
The Council properly and religiously followed the road map which led to the monumental achievements recorded within the period under review. They include:
- Completion of Agreement for 150 hectares of Land donated for Espoly main campus by Aguobu-Iwollo community:
A physical master-plan for the Institution was prepared in accordance with the standard of modern higher institutions and in conformity to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) standard. Consequently, a need arose for more land space to suit the master plan; the council was able to drive an already existing negotiation with Aguobu-Iwollo Community for the provision of 150 hectares of land to the polytechnic to conclusion. The survey plan was endorsed by the community elders, Ezeagu Local Government Council and the Ministry of Lands and handing over formally concluded during the visit of His Excellency the Governor of Enugu State Chief Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on 14th May 2018.
Barr Christopher Aliozor with cheque and some Aguobu Iwollo stakeholders during the groundbreaking ceremony at Aguobu-Iwollo, Espoly permanent site
- Building and Commissioning of School of Engineering Block:
The clear mission, vision, sincerity of purpose, drive and prudent management of funds by the Governing Council following their 2018 visioning session with the management and staff, led to the building and commissioning of the Engineering complex which was a gargantuan stride in completely moving the Enugu State College of Agriculture Iwollo to Polytechnic status. The plans and designs for the Engineering building was hatched and an 8-classroom/laboratories one storey building foundation (about 37meters length by 13 meters width) was laid in February 2018 and was completed in a record time of 3 months. This project was carried out through direct labour with the sum of Seventy six million naira approved for the Enugu State Polytechnic Iwollo by the State Government. By the completion and commissioning ceremony of the magnificent building in May 2018, which the Council attracted the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Chief Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the polytechnic community came to the conclusion that the eagle had landed.
His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi commissioning School of Engineering, Espoly on 14th May, 2018
- Enlistment of the Institution into TETFund and Accessing the TETFund Special High Impact Intervention Fund:
The Polytechnic was successfully enlisted as one of the TETFund beneficiaries and hence was able to access 1 billion naira which was the TETfund Special Intervention Fund through the indefatigable efforts of the Governing Council led by the Honourable Chinedu Hillary Onu and the management of Enugu State Polytechnic led by Professor C.J.C Akubuilo.
- Construction of two edifices for Schools of Agricultural Technology and Schools of Management and Applied Sciences
This development led to the provision of individual offices for the lecturers and has also provided adequate classrooms for both the HND students and the ND Students. The conducive atmosphere is having a positive effect on the general output of both staff and students.
Completed schools of Agricultural Technology and Schools of Management and Applied Sciences
- Library Development: ;In 2019, ESPOLY got her first Library TETFund Intervention of N25,000,000 for both physical books and E-resources. The fund was used for the procurement of different types of relevant textbooks and journals and for equipping E-library for accreditation and post accreditation usage by both staff and students.
In addition, June 2019, Enugu State Polytechnic Library was enrolled into the Committee of Monotechnics & Polytechnics Libraries in Nigeria (COMPLIN) in June 2019 and that was made possible by the recent upgrade of facilities in the library.
ESPOLY Library
TETFund Annual Intervention:
Through the non tireless efforts of Management and Council, Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo was able to gain TETFund 2019 Annual Intervention Fund. Through this fund, they were able to meet most of the goals set during the visioning session which was anchored in the maximization and utilization of existing manpower through training & re-training of staff, capacity building for appropriate staff mix, proper manpower planning & development and encouraging government sponsorship of research & conference.
Four of ESPOLY Academic staff were nominated for foreign scholarships to pursue their Masters and Ph.D. degrees commencing in the second quarter of 2020 while eight members of academic staff will benefit from the local sponsorship. There is still room for more local applications. Funds for institutional based research, local and international conference attendance and workshops are available to both academic and non-academic staff of the institution.
- Hostel Renovation
To make accommodation easily accessible and affordable to both male and female students of Espoly, the management in January, 2018 embarked on a speedy renovation and remodelling of two existing structures in Espoly. The female hostel has about 30 bed spaces while the male hostel has about 60. The buildings are properly equipped with the necessary hostel facilities such as water, electricity and toilets.
- ESPOLY Gate and Fence
Another important achievement of the third Council in Espoly is the building of a modern gate and fencing of the school premises to give it befitting look and the necessary security expected of a modern higher institution. The gate has a security personnel office, pedestrian walkway and giant ESPOLY logo embossed on top of it.
- Official vehicles, school bus and dozer for site clearing
With the support of the Executive Governor of Enugu State Government the Council was able to Purchase 8 Camry 2009 model cars for the principal officers in April 2018 and an additional one in July 2019. Within this same period, the council sought and received a 52-seater ASHOK Leyland bus. Under this position, the council approved the purchase of a sound D6H CAT bulldozer through the tuition fees paid by the students of the Polytechnic in September 2018 which to a great extent assisted in the clearing of about 10 hectares of land in the new site in Aguobu-Iwollo
- Equipment and Machinery
In the light of all these tremendous infrastructural/facilities upgrade, all mainly targeted at the accreditation of the institution’s programs by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). Several other crucial projects and procurements were made within the last 6months of 2019 where several hundreds of tools, equipment and machineries too numerous to mention were procured especially for the School of Engineering and other schools and departments facing accreditation. A notable astounding project was the construction of a 500 square metre engineering workshop encapsulating tractor shed and 5 room offices. The new workshop has indeed created adequate space for mechanical, electrical, woodwork, tractor repairs etc practices.
Other unique procurements approved by the Council includes but not limited to the following;
o 2 brand new Farm Utility Vehicles (FUV) or mini-tractors complete with implements
o One brand new 75HP Marsey Ferguson tractor complete with implements
o Office and classroom furniture
o Science laboratory equipment
o Upgrading e-library from 20 to 40-seater capacity
o Procurement of library books and equipment
o Provision of standard sports equipment
- Employment of Academic Staff in Deficient Departments:
Prior to the constitution of the ESPOLY’s third council, the institution was short of academic staff. However, the institution now boasts of adequate personnel in most academic departments. Departments like banking and finance, accountancy, computer science and engineering have had an increase in the number of staff over the past three years.
- Accreditation Exercise:
Worthy of mention is the just concluded accreditation exercise to fully accredit the various departments in the Polytechnic. The Council initiated the 2020 accreditation exercise of the institution. This was made possible by the support provided by the Government of Enugu State. Our laboratories are state of the art and this was confirmed by the NBTE personnel during this past accreditation exercise.
This exercise ensured that workbooks/practical books for the various departments in the institution were published and printed. These workbooks are currently in circulation in the school and have aided effective teaching and are also being used as part of the students continuous assessment. Furthermore, an adequate workshop facility that will aid the practical aspects of the student’s course work was constructed and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment such as latte machine, transformers to mention just a few.
- Steady Mobilization of Students for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC):
ESPOLY students have been mobilized for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme for five consecutive batches (Batch B-2018, Batch C-2018, Batch A-2019, Batch B-2019 and Batch C-2019). The Council and Management have demonstrated an indefatigable commitment in seeing that our students join the scheme upon graduation. This has left an indelible mark in the lives of our ex-students, who have successfully completed their one-year compulsory service and built confidence in the minds of our prospective corps members and as well as our new students.
- Matriculation Ceremony:
The institution was successfully able to carry out matriculation ceremonies in 2018 and 2019. These events were epoch-making in the sense that they were the first to be held in the history of the institution.
- Tertiary Institutions Knowledge Centre, ICT Hub
Facilities attracted by the Council through the efforts of the Council Chairman, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) approval by the Federal Government provided for the school a fifty-Seater capacity networked desktop computer laboratory with all the accessories. In addition, a 120m mast is now in front of the ICT with two radios, one from the Airtel and the other from GLO supplying internet access (both wired and wireless) to the Institution. This project has a one-year internet subscription and equipment maintenance attached to it. These were put to use according to the exigencies of the various offices.
In 2019, the Institution attracted a donation of 85 IPADs from the Nigerian Communication commissions (NCC).10th Anniversary Celebration of Enugu State Polytechnic Iwollo
The design of the ESPOLY website and portal is also underway.
- Student’s Scholarship:
The 3rd Council saw to the award of full scholarship grant to three hundred and forty students from Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo.
- Regularization of Admission:
The admission process has been regularized through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Central Admissions and Processing System (CAPS).
- Outstanding Promotions:
The 3rd Council released the 2016 outstanding staff promotions. All staff that had been victimized abinitio or unjustly treated had their cases looked into and subsequently resolved.
- 10th Anniversary Celebration of Enugu State Polytechnic Iwollo
The Polytechnic had a successful hosting of 10th anniversary and publication of the Anniversary lecture as ESPOLY Lecture series entitled “ The Polytechnic Education in Nigeria” by Ozo Prof Chinweyite Ejike.
- Workshop on Grant and Proposal Writing:
A two-day workshop on grant winning research proposal – the first of its kind – was held in the institution in October 2019. This workshop was designed to teach the Lecturers the new trends in proposal and grant writing thus embracing one of the goals of human capital development raised at the Governing council visioning session.
Foundation laying of a block for staff offices and classrooms in the permanent site
Handing over of land for the building of Espoly School of Agricultural Technology and Agro- Business, Nsukka Campus
Through the pragmatic efforts of the Governing Council, the Enugu State House of Assembly recently passed a bill approving the adoption of multi campus structure for the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo. The main Campus of the Polytechnic remains in Iwollo, Enugu West Senatorial Zone with the Schools of Applied Sciences and Engineering in it while the School of Agricultural Technology and Agro-Business goes to Nsukka, Enugu North Senatorial Zone and Business Technology and Management Sciences go to Enugu East Senatorial Zone. The arrangement is in compliance with the three Senatorial Zones Structure operative in Enugu State.
- Use of Songhai Heneke Farm for Agricultural Productivity Training
The Governing Council through its pragmatic Chairman sought and got the approval of His Excellency, Rt Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to use Songhai Farm at Heneke in Obinofia Ndi Uno, Ezeagu L.G.A, Enugu State for the training of the first batch of 200 farmers in the World Bank Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support [APPEALS] project by the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo for a period of three months.
CONCLUSION:
The Governing Council and Management of the Enugu State Polytechnic Iwollo, have put lasting mechanisms in place to ensure that the visioning goals for academics and human capital development for the specified 5-year period are met. It is pertinent to state that while this is a continuous process, it is worthy of commendation that most of the goals mentioned were attained within a space of 3 years. Having achieved all these within just three (3) years, it is expected that if this Council is given another three (3) years, the transformation in the institution will be unimaginable.
