University and polytechnic lecturers, who have no ambition to progress in life, can continue with their pastime of extorting money from students.
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This was the damning verdict of the Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Professor Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, during the institution’s maiden colloquium, themed ‘Keeping our pride high, avoiding the pitfall: Prospects for our polytechnic lecturers’, held at the Chief James Onanefe Ibori Auditorium.
Professor Ufuophu-Biri asserted that since lecturers are expected to be the very best in society, misdemeanours such as extorting students for academic grades should never be associated with them.
“The very best of the best are the lecturers. Once you are called a lecturer or a teacher, you are the best of the best.
“I don’t collect money from my students. Selecting and writing projects for your students is wrong—it is intellectual haram,” Ufuophu-Biri declared while responding to issues concerning blocking, indecent dressing and other academic misconduct at the event.
He further criticised male lecturers who pursue female students on campus, describing them as failures.
“If you are a man who chases after girls, you have failed because women naturally chase successful men.
“If Regina Daniels were selling bread on the streets, even with her immaculate beauty, would Ned Nwoko still have pursued her for marriage?
“But if Ned were a roadside petrol hawker, would Regina Daniels have married him? he asked.
The guest speaker of the colloquium, Dr Emmanuel Akpoveta, called for an end to the marginalisation of polytechnic lecturers by the government.
He urged lecturers to eschew greed and avarice, which he identified as key pitfalls in academia.
During the discussion panel following the lecture, various issues surrounding the theme of the colloquium were further dissected.
The panelists—Dr. Samuel Ogbogu, Dr J. U. Nana, Dr Henry Obeh Regards, Rev. Father Jesuovie Ogagavwodia, and Mrs O. Odijie — all condemned sexual harassment, whether by lecturers or students.
In her contribution, Mrs Odijie reminded both lecturers and students that they are image-makers of the institution and should, therefore, avoid any malfeasance that could tarnish its reputation.
Other dignitaries who contributed to the discussion included the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Nyerovwo Tonukari (represented by Dr Emoefe Okpimah); Chairman of the Governing Council, Delta State Polytechnic, Andrew Orugbo; the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, Orefe III (represented by Chief Frank Emiko) and the Executive Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Conflict Resolution, Chief Okakuro Ewhere Duncan Oghenochuko.
In his brief address, Chief Oghenochuko underscored and appreciated the peace and tranquillity prevailing on campus.
Condemning the practice of forcing students to buy handouts and encouraging ‘blocking’, the governor’s aide revealed that the state government would soon commence the monitoring of lecturers’ conduct in higher institutions.
He urged students to value their self-esteem and make the most of their time in school, saying “students of polytechnics are better placed.”
On his part, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Nyerovwo Tonukari, represented by Dr Emoefe Okpimah, expressed satisfaction with the performance of Professor Ufuophu-Biri, whom he described as a digital rector.
Regarding the pressing issues of indecent dressing and sexual harassment, the commissioner urged the institution’s authorities to take decisive action, suggesting that faculties could adopt uniforms, as it is done in some universities.
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Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
