In the last one year or there about, Dr Clement Selchum Chirman has held sway as the Rector of the Plateau State Polytechnic. There are a number of things to cheer anyone who may have thought otherwise.
Whatever the problems he may have encountered on his way to his ascendancy, those may have paled into insignificance as the records of his achievements in the office in the last one year speak for him.
However, it is right to note: There are no perfect situations in life, except one near it. In situations such as this, they reveal a lot of what should be known. But most importantly, it should be noted that his appointment is in line with the template of appointment of Rectors set up by the NBTE
Above all, no one but God lifts men into higher positions in life, in most cases using the ministry of men. This assertion captures his rise to his present position as Rector.
Some may have read about the opinions of certain persons, who have innocuously questioned the degree of the suitability of the Rector. It may be in their purview to ask, but not in their right to disparage the level to which he has attained in close to three decades.
One is not oblivious of the extant laws guiding the establishment of the institution. Knowing that has fuelled my curiosity as to ask questions about his suitability for the position.
If there is a precedence in similar institutions of the same status in other states, pray, what would be wrong in replicating same here, so long as he is qualified for the position? The need to address and accommodate other interests could have been responsible for certain actions.
The following, who have PhDs in English, Political Science, Library Science, Accounting and Management Studies; have served as heads of some state and federal polytechnics as Rectors.
They include Dr Danjuma Baba, former Rector, Federal Polytechnic Idah- English, Dr Oluseyi Abiodun, Ogun State Institute of Technology Igbesa- English, Dr Hauwa Mohammed Tanko- Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa- English; and Dr Nurudeen Maifata- Isa Mustapha Agwai, Polytechnic, Lafia- Library Studies
Others include, current Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda- Accounting, Dr Suleiman M Lame, immediate past Rector, Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo, Management Studies, and Prof Onu, former Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Political Science.
That may not be all, for instance, the former Rector of YabaTech and Auchi Polytechnic both read Secretariat Studies rising up to position of Rector of their institutios.
It is publicly acclaimed that the government did not foist him on the Polytechnic with any recorded protest. It first made him serve in an acting capacity for about a year and decided he was suitable for the position; after coming tops in the interview he was called together with others.
To think that the man has served the polytechnic, and rising to the position of Chief Lecturer; he, or anyone in that position should not be labelled as unqualified to superintend over the affairs of the Institution.
That may be, the success of an institution largely depends on the person put in charge and his management team, staff, even as the students have a huge responsibility to ensure that things work out well.
It should be noted that crucial and effective leadership have always been responsible for the success of academic institutions. For anything that is good, the leadership recruitment says a lot about the direction its owners want it to go.
For those who are aware of the stories emanating from the state polytechnic that memory can still serve us, students enrollment and unpredictable academic challenges which affected the smooth operations of the institution have been streamlined for productivity.
Having put in over 25 years in teaching and being involved in other extra curricular activities, he knows the terrain well enough to play a major role in getting the institution rejuvenated in several areas.
The massive accreditation of about 31 programmes in 27 of its departments, building of key infrastructure with funding being addressed by the government are enough to swell the head of those who should know better.
For several years running, the stabilisation of academic calendar has never been as pronounced as under his leadership. To have been a former Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic himself, Dr Clement S Chirman experience would have been an added advantage to working with unions and alumni association.
Recently, about 25 key celebratory items that cover almost all areas of concern of the institution were released, coming at the end of his acting capacity as Rector. These are the signs that give the institution and its management team, and a student population that is almost hitting roof top a pat on the back what to celebrate.
It is a major plank of what to expect if, only in one year the records are there to be verified and celebrated; what could be expected at the end of his tenure? It is better Imagined, as there will be more to celebrate.
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