National Honour In Abuja: Rector Basilia Igbokwe, Nekede Poly Bag Top ICPC-Verbatim Integrity Awards
By Noble Uchegbu Uchechukwu Zachariah
A Defining Moment for Public Sector Governance
In a resounding national validation of visionary leadership, operational transparency, and administrative renewal, the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, alongside its 9th Substantive Rector, Dr. Mrs. Basilia Nkemdilim Igbokwe was publicly honoured at a prestigious national awards ceremony hosted by Verbatim Print & Broadcast Limited in strategic partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The landmark event, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, gathered eminent statesmen, anti-corruption crusaders, institutional leaders, and high-ranking government officials from across the federation to celebrate Nigeria’s top public sector leaders and institutions.
During the ceremony, Federal Polytechnic Nekede was formally inducted into the roll of honour as one of Nigeria’s “100 Most Integrity Compliant MDAs,” while Rector Dr. Mrs. Basilia Nkemdilim Igbokwe was conferred with the distinguished “Pillars of Integrity Leadership Award.”
Empirical Proof of Institutional Renaissance
This double honour was awarded following a rigorous, data-driven evaluation under the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS) 2025 conducted by the ICPC. The findings revealed a phenomenal upward trajectory for Federal Polytechnic Nekede, which soared from a compliance score of 55.65% in the 2023 EICS to 67.50% in the 2025 EICS report, reflecting tangible progress in institutional ethics, accountability, and public administration.
High-Powered Leadership and National Keynotes
The ceremony featured powerful deliverances from national leaders who set the moral and policy tone for the occasion:
Delivering the opening address, the Chairman of the occasion, His Excellency, Sen. Amb. Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher , former Minister of State for Power and Steel and President of the African Leadership Institute, USA, emphasized that Nigeria must shift from celebrating unexplained wealth to prioritizing integrity as its highest social currency. He noted that corruption is a human tragedy that deprives citizens of basic rights, praising Verbatim Magazine and the ICPC for spotlighting institutions that choose transparency over compromise.
In his keynote address, the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, stressed that the EICS report is an empirical diagnostic tool designed to move anti-corruption efforts from rhetoric to measurable benchmarks He commended top-performing public institutions, explicitly highlighting Federal Polytechnic Nekede’s remarkable leap in compliance as proof that strong executive willpower and process automation can restore public trust.
A High-Powered Delegation from Owerri and Abuja
To witness and celebrate this monumental milestone, Rector Dr. Mrs. Basilia Nkemdilim Igbokwe led a high-powered delegation of the Polytechnic’s principal officers and key administrators:
Mr. Stanley Ugochukwu Njoku: Registrar, Federal Polytechnic Nekede; Mrs. Chinyere Ojiuko: Bursar, Federal Polytechnic Nekede; Dr. Charles Obichere: Polytechnic Librarian; Dr. Okafo Okoreaffia: Director, Chinese Language Programme and Noble Uchegbu Uchechukwu Zachariah: Special Assistant to the Rector on Media Matters
The delegation was joined at the venue by distinguished dignitaries, such as Prof. Onibon N. Olajide, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Abuja, Prof Duke Okoro, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Orogun, Delta State, alumni, and supporters from Abuja and across the nation who came out in solidarity to grace the epoch making occasion.
Acceptance and Commitment by the Rector
Upon receiving the award, Dr. Mrs. Basilia Nkemdilim Igbokwe expressed profound appreciation to Verbatim Print & Broadcast Limited and the ICPC.
“This national recognition is dedicated to the Governing Council, Management, dedicated staff, and the over 30. 000 students of Federal Polytechnic Nekede. Integrity is not an isolated achievement but an active operational culture. This award will serve as a catalyst for deeper systemic reform as we continue to prove that enduring academic and technological excellence can be achieved through honest and ethical means.” — Dr. Mrs. Basilia Nkemdilim Igbokwe
The Blueprint Behind the Triumph
Since assuming office as the 9th Substantive Rector on September 24, 2024, Dr. Basilia Igbokwe has spearheaded an aggressive reform agenda built on three fundamental pillars:
Zero Tolerance for Misconduct & Process Automation:
The administration fully empowered the Polytechnic’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) and aggressively digitized transcript requests, financial transactions, and academic workflows, eliminating manual touchpoints prone to administrative friction and extortion.
Revitalization of Campus Enterprises:
Under her stewardship, dormant campus industries were resuscitated, including the bottled/sachet water production plant, block-making factory, tissue paper manufacturing unit, and expanded poultry and aquaculture operations, driving Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) while providing practical training for students.
Staff Welfare & Academic Stability:
Long standing promotion and salary arrears were cleared, creating a transparent, merit-driven work environment that boosted staff morale and stabilized the academic calendar.
A Golden Standard for West Africa
As the event concluded with official photographs, goodwill messages, and networking dinners among Nigeria’s top administrative leaders, Federal Polytechnic Nekede firmly cemented its standing as a national benchmark for technological innovation, moral integrity, and administrative excellence.
Under Dr. Basilia Nkemdilim Igbokwe’s principled guidance, West Africa’s premier polytechnic continues to lead by example, showing that when visionary leadership intersects with institutional accountability, public trust is restored and national honour is secured.