PRESS STATEMENT
The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Dr. (Mrs.) Basilia Igbokwe, on Monday 18th August, 2025 received a high-powered delegation of the Egbema People’s Forum (EPF) led by its National President, Mr. Israel O. Onyeoyibo.
In his address, Mr. Onyeoyibo emphasized the Forum’s strong interest in the immediate take-off of the Egbema Campus of Federal Polytechnic Nekede. He described the Rector as hard-working, fair-minded, and hospitable, qualities that inspired the Forum to visit and pledge support.
The Forum expressed the Egbema Clan’s high expectations for academic activities to commence soon, while assuring the Polytechnic’s Management that the security of staff and students would be fully guaranteed. He further revealed efforts already in top gear to provide stable electricity supply to the campus through:
+ The Okwuzi Egbema Power Plant in Rivers State;
+ Theongoing Federal Government’s Egbema Turbine Project; and
+ Plans by NDDC to extend its solar electrification project as a first step in powering the campus.
He added that pilfering will be a thing of the past as sons of Egbema would be at the heart of the security apparatus.
Furthermore, Prof Victor O. Nwaugo, immediate past President of the Forum pledged to mobilize Egbema indigenes both at home and in the diaspora to support the project. They also expressed readiness to clear and prepare the campus environment at no cost to the Polytechnic.
Also present at the meeting were the Polytechnic Registrar, Mr. Ugochukwu Stanley Njoku; the Bursar, Mrs. Adanne Chinyere Ojiuko; and Dr. Ezirim, Chairman of the *Committee on Smooth Transition to the Egbema Campus*, who submitted a detailed report of the Committee’s roadmap for the commencement of the campus.
In her response, the Rector, Dr. Igbokwe, appreciated the Forum’s commitment and forward-looking initiative, assuring them of Management’s determination to ensure that the Egbema Campus project becomes a reality. She noted, however, that funding constraints, especially the non-accessibility of the 2025 Federal Budget for such projects, remain the major setback.
Dr. Igbokwe assured the delegation that once the green light is given, her administration will vigorously pursue the commencement of the Egbema Campus. She stressed that the vision of expanding the Polytechnic’s territory to Egbema is a priority project that must not be left unattended.
Signed:
Noble Uchegbu Uchechukwu Zachariah
Special Assistant to the Rector on Media Matters
20th August, 2025
