The Benefits of Having Engr. Michael Arimanwa as an Internally Generated Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede

It is true that the present is coloured by the past. It is also true that we can choose the colours of the future. Therefore, it is no gainsaying that every man’s future is spotless until proven otherwise.

In the words of Lika Shing, “The future may be made up of many factors but where it truly lies is in the hearts and minds of men. Your dedication should not be confined for your own gain, but unleashes your passion for the common good as well as for the integrity and humanity of mankind.”

When the Federal Government of Nigeria announced Engr. Dr. Michael Chidiebere Arimanwa (FNSE), as the 8th Substantive Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Victor O. Alozie captured it this way, “The Polytechnic community went agog with joy and hopes, and some with mixed feelings predicated on uncertainty of what the future might be.”

Three years down the line, Engr. Arimanwa has surpassed all expectations, cooled tempers, resolved many inherited unresolved issues and defended the defenceless with humility, all to the glory of God.

As a home grown Rector, which is why he is popularly referred to as an Internally Generated Rector (IGR), Engr. Michael Arimanwa came prepared to make a big difference.

He passed through the Federal Polytechnic Nekede as a student, so he knows what the students need. He passed through the institution as a staff and knows what every staff needs and of course as a Rector who grew up in Nigeria, he knows what Nigerians who have one thing or the other to do in the institution need.

As the first Alumnus Rector, Engr. Michael Arimanwa has a track record of achievements trailing his administration, all of which cannot be captured in one piece.

Together with the Polytechnic Response Team, his administration was the first to design and fabricate manual, semi automated and fully automated hand washing devices placed at strategic locations within the institution, in 2020, for different purposes, when coronavirus was at its peak in the country. Hand washes and sanitizers were not left out, as they were produced and distributed to staff, students, visitors, state government and host communuties.

As a detailed man, the Digital Rector (as he is fondly called) whose vision is to provide conducive learning environment for all, completed all on going projects that were on ground before his assumption of office.

Done with on going projects he met on ground, his administration started fresh projects, some of which have been completed and others nearly completed.

Some of the completed and handed over projects include: The Complex D, School of Business and Management Technology, School of Environmental Design and Technology, office complex for Agricultural Technology in the School of Industrial and Applied Sciences, classroom complex for the School of Engineering Technology, office blocks for the Engineering Technology, classroom complex for the School of Environmental Design and Technology and classroom complex of the Schhool of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Others include the upgrading of the ICT facilities and the provision of classroom furniture for a conducive learning environment.

Roads within and outside the institution, some which became an eyesore and impassable, got the attention of Engr. Arimanwa. Currently, staff, students, host communities and the general public are plying quality, standard and durable roads, in and around the Institution.

It is worthy to note that some of these achievements were facilitied through the intervention of the Tertiary Education Fund, internally generated funds and capital appropriation.

The Peoples Rector (as he is popularly referred to) must’ve dreamt of the changes we are witnessing today, while he was a student and staff. According to Brian Tracy, “The starting point of great success and achievement has always been the same. It is for you to dream big dreams.”

Engr. Dr. Michael Arimanwa for sure knows that no matter how big your dream is, you must eventually wake up to bring it to reality.

Well done, The Smartest Rector.

Media Team,
Federal Polytechnic, Nekede.