By Chukwudi Ejimofor.

As Federal Polytechnic Oko is receiving a rebirth, well-meaning individuals and associations are directly or indirectly acknowledging the magical developmental strides of the substantive Rector Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie.

This time is the Alumni Association of the institution through their legal representative, dissociates from the purported lawsuit again their Alma mater. Their statement went thus:

“We are lawyers briefed by Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association to make this press release.

Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association is alarmed, appalled and justifiably miffed by a deliberate peddling of falsehood and misinformation against it that they are in court or involved in a case which Blessing Anulika Okeke (Plaintiff), an alumnus of Federal Polytechnic Oko, instituted in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in the Awka Judiciary Division against: Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie; 1st Defendant, the Governing Council Federal Polytechnic Oko 2nd defendant; The Rector Federal Polytechnic Oko; 3rd defendant, The Registrar Federal Polytechnic Oko; 4th Defendant, Federal Polytechnic Oko; 5th Defendant, The Honourable Minister, Ministry of Education; 6th Defendant, and Henry Chukwuka Nnebe, National President, Federal Polytechnic Oko; 7th Defendant in Suit No. NICN/AWK/49/2024.

This public general notice has therefore become imperative in order to set the records straight and assuage the concerns of our beloved alma mater (Federal Polytechnic Oko) which is under a new Rebirth.

As a responsible Alumni Association committed to the growth of our Polytechnic, the objective of this notice is to refute any insinuations of an involvement by our client, the association. The general public is hereby put on notice, and we categorically state thusly:

i. That Blessing Anulika Okeke, who deposed to being a 2003 graduate of the Federal Polytechnic Oko and as such an Alumnus of the Polytechnic, stated clearly in the affidavit that she is the Plaintiff in the suit.

ii. that in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association, Article 2, section 6; Blessing Anulika Okeke as alumnus is entitled to rights, benefits and privileges of members, particularly freedom of expression, fair hearing as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution as amended.

iii. in accordance with our Client’s Constitution, Article 5, Section 1; Blessing Anulika Okeke or any alumnus cannot represent our client without express approval

iv. That the Plaintiff, Blessing Anulika Okeke does not represent Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association nor have the mandate/or approval of the Alumni National President or National Executive Council to represent the association in her present suit in line with Article 5, Section 1 of our constitution.

v. that the Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association is not mentioned in the affidavit by Blessing Anulika Okeke as being part of the plaintiff and does not associate itself with the suit.

vi. that the plaintiff Blessing Anulika Okeke named Henry Chukwuka Nnebe (National President, Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association) as the 7th Defendant in the suit.

vii. that the National Executive Council has mandated the branch of the Alumni Association to which Blessing Anulika Okeke belongs to evoke forthwith the Federal Polytechnic Oko Alumni Association 2022 Constitution Article 14 Section 1. ii which says: Each Branch of the Association shall have power to exercise disciplinary control over its members and may caution, suspend, impose a fine, or impose any other disciplinary sanction or punishment any member whose conduct offends or is against this constitution or such rules or lawful directives which shall, in the opinion of the National Executive Committee or Branch/Chapter Executive Committee of the Association, attract sanction.

It must be noted that our client will not hesitate to seek appropriate redress against those who without cause seem intent on tarnishing, maligning and slandering the association that has contributed immensely to the growth of Federal Polytechnic Oko for over 40 years by providing infrastructures, role modeling and rewarding staff and students.

Our Client’s National Executive Council seizes this opportunity to call on our esteem ‘Oko Polymath’ to remain resolute and dedicated to the vision of Federal Polytechnic Oko as the Polytechnic of the Moment and express profound appreciation for their concern, solidarity and support.

While our client is committed to the progress of all organs of their alma mater it will not hesitate to make sure that things are done properly and constitutionally always”. the statement of refutal concluded.