Shun cultism, alcohol, drug abuse, others, Rector tells matriculating polytechnic Ukana  students

The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Eduma Enobong Essien, has warned matriculating students of the polytechnic to shun all social vices such as cultism, examination malpractice, indecent dressing ,drug abuse and taking of alcohol and others indecent behavours that could truncate their academic pursuits.

The Rector gave the warning at the 10th matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the Science Laboratory Technology Arena, on Friday, 21st March, 2025

“For our matriculating students, i congratulae you for successfully gaining admission into this unique citadel of learning. I urge you to take your academics very serious.

“Shun all vices like cultism, examination malpractice, indecent dressing, drug abuse, taking of alcohol and other things that will truncate your academics pursuits” Essien stated.

Essien who highlighted some of the key challenges confronting the institution, noted however that some steps have been taken since her appointment to address some of the challenges, adding that academic and non-academic activities have started going on smoothly.

According to her, the management has reconstituted the academic board to bring in fresh ideas, adding that a skills acquisition center will soon be established to commence the production of tissue paper, furniture to generate IGR for the institution

She also disclosed that the institution has also taken delivery of the finished Enterpreneurship Centre on the main campus that was built and abandoned for years as well as taken delivery of books to equip the libraries on the main and annex campuses among others.

On accreditation, she said that the management has made a request to the National Board for Technical Education for full accreditation of the following Programmes : Accountancy, Business Administration, Civil Engineering Technology and Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Others include Computer Engineering Technology and Science Laboratory Technology

The Rector listed new programmes for resource inspection to include to include HND Statistics, HND Computer Network and Cloud Computing as well as HND Software and Web Development, ND Quantity Survey, ND Architectural Technology, ND Urban and Regional Planning, ND Library and Information Science, ND Mechanical Engineering Technology, ND Banking and Finance, Public Administration, Mass Communication, ND Environmental Science and Management Technology, ND Office Technology Management (OTM)

While noting that the challenges are numerous, she solicited the the assistance of the federal government and all interventionist agencies including the Akwa Ibom State government to come to the aid of the Polytechnic

She also called on security agencies and the host communities to “provide adequate security for protection of lives and property in the institution”.

The Rector used the opportunity to thank the Senate President, His Excellency, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, President of the 10th Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria and his dear wife Her Excellency, Unoma Godswill Akpabio for their contributions in her emergence as the Rector of the Institution. Her gratitude also goes to the Governing Council and other persons who played key roles during the selection process.