By DADA AYOKHAI
There is confusion everywhere concerning the actual age of the Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi in Etsako West council area, the only federally-owned tertiary institution in the Edo North district
The confusion erupted following the setting up of a special Committee to package the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the institution which has produced a lot of trained and skilled manpower for the country.
The rector of the polytechnic, Dr Salisu Shehu Umar in a letter sighted by Borderline News24 appointed the Deputy Rector (Administration) Engr Mrs Edith Oyati as the chairperson of the committee charged to organize the 50th year anniversary of the school.
However, those familiar with the happenings in the school recollect that Dr. Salisu, the incumbent Rector, was a part of the then-management team during the tenure of the erstwhile Rector, Dr.(Mrs) Philipa Idogho, when a similar event on December 13, 2014 took place.
Although the institution has yet to fix a date for the Golden Jubilee celebration, the thinking within some academic circles is why should the institution embark on another jamboree 10 years after the last one.
The action of the Rector has raised a lot of doubt in the minds of people as to the motive behind the double celebration
Borderline News 24 further learned that the special committee set up by the Rector has split into various subcommittees to coordinate arrangements for a hitch-free Golden Jubilee celebration .
The last golden jubilee celebration in 2014, held during the tenure of Dr. (Mrs.) Idogho coincided with the institution’s convocation ceremony. It was a high-profile media event that was widely publicized.
The occasion attracted advert placements from friends of the institution, its Alumni body and friends of the school.,
Borderline News 24 attempts to reach the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the institution on the phone for his comments on the rationale behind the double celebration was unsuccessful.
However, a copy of the Vanguard, a daily newspaper published by The Vanguard Media, on December 13, 2014, provides a useful insight into the hullabaloo encircling the event.
The Vanguard story stated “Having churned out thousands of successful graduates who have made their marks in different sectors over the years, all is set for the Auchi Polytechnic to celebrate its 50th anniversary in grand style
“In preparation for the D-Day, the Rector, Dr. Philipa Idogho has set up a committee to plan the activities to mark the institution’s golden jubilee. Recalling the foundation laying of the school in 1963, Dr. Idogho noted that the institution which started as a Technical College in 1963, pioneered by the British Government, graduated into a polytechnic in 1974 during the Midwest Regional Government”.
Observers are, however, worried that the double celebration, if allowed to take place as being planned by the current management of the school, may constitute a huge wastage on the lean resources of the institution and also set confusion as regards the actual founders day of the institution.
They have, therefore, advised the Rector and his team to retrace their step, saying the occasion calls for sober reflections rather than profligacy
