Ilaro Rector, Aluko emerges as chairman of COFER

The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Olusegun Olanrewaju Aluko has been unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Committee of Federal Rectors (COFER).

According to the institution’s Deputy Registrar (Public Relations), Sola Abiala, the election which brought in Aluko as the Chairman was conducted during the meeting of COFER held on Thursday, 12th August, 2021 at the NBTE Liaison Office in Abuja.

He said Aluko was elected in absentia because he was unavoidably absent at the meeting due to the fact that the public lecture instituted in the name of his predecessor in office, Raheem Adisa Oloyo Annual Public Lecture was held on the same day, 12th August 2021.

The new Chairman is a second term Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, having been first appointed Rector in 2014 and was until his election, the Vice-Chairman under Ven. Dr Ogbonna Ibe-Enwo, Rector, Akanu-Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Ebonyi State, who has successfully served his two-year single term as enshrined in COFER Constitution.

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Abiala said through dint of hard work, Aluko’s second term of office was approved by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, months before the expiration of his first term.

According to him, “Aluko has no doubt proved his worth as an administrator of repute and academic par excellence through his contributions to the uplift of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, in particular and the development of technological education in Nigeria.”

Abiala said the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, had witnessed tremendous development since the assumption of office of Aluko, climaxing in being one of the best Polytechnics in Nigeria, one of the most sought after Polytechnics by JABM applicants for over five years, among other achievements.

He added that the icings on the cake were the various innovations, inventions and fabrications of equipment of international standard.

He listed them to include, among others, the Covid-19- related machines fabricated to curb the menace and treatment of the dreaded virus, ventilator, electronically- powered disinfectant booth, multiple users hand-washing and sanitizing machines.

Abiala said these, coupled with Aluko’s activities within COFER would have contributed to his emergence as Chairman even in absentia.

Elected alongside Arc. Aluko were Prof. Emmanuel Fasakain, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji (Vice-Chairman); Dr Abukabar A. DZukogi, Rector Federal Polytechnic Bida (Treasurer); Zonal.
Co-ordinators of COFER include Dr Dayo H. Oladebeye, Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti; South/West Dr Yahaya, M. Bande, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda; North/West Engr Dr Usman M. Kalamu, Rector Federal Polytechnic Damaturu North/Central Dr Sunday U Ukekpe, Rector Federal Polytechnic Uwanna; South/South and Engr Dr Rev. Michael C. Arimanwwa, Rector Federal Polytechnic Nekede South/East.

The immediate past Chairman, Ven. Dr Ogbanna Ibe-Enwo was appointed as ex-officio.

COFER, according to its Secretary, Godwin B. Ayegba in a press release on the election of Aluko, operated under the umbrella of COHEADS and “it is a platform that enables Rectors of all Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria exchange ideas, experiences, difficulties and other matters of common interest through meetings, workshops, seminars and conferences.”

He added that “the body also promotes and facilitates co-operation amongst member Polytechnics and between Rectors and staff of Federal Polytechnics, State Polytechnics, other tertiary institutions and Regulatory bodies.”