By Foster Akpore | Orogun, Delta State | October 31, 2025
A staff member of the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Mr. Solomon Ovobovwori, has faulted a recent claim by Mr. Smart Okei that indigenes of Orhoera community—which comprises Orhomuru, Ozuaka, and Ugono—were excluded from the institution’s employment exercise.
Mr. Ovobovwori, who identified himself as a native of the Orhoera host community, described the allegation as “completely false and misleading,” insisting that several qualified persons from Orhoera and neighbouring host communities were duly employed during the last recruitment exercise.
In a rejoinder shared with Oghwoghwa Reporters, Mr. Ovobovwori stated that he currently serves as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Crime Management, having been engaged through deliberate community inclusion by the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun.
“I want to address the information going around that no one from the host communities was employed. That is a false narrative—completely false from the pit of hell,” he said.
He listed some of his colleagues who, according to him, were also employed from the host communities and have since resumed duty. They include:
- Ovobovwori Solomon – Assistant Lecturer
- Olomu Elvis – Librarian
- Ogheneakpbor Godspower – Clerical Officer
- Emmanuel Ufuoma Edafe – Technologist
- Ogbodu Francisca – Administrative Officer I
- Ogheneruona Precious – Non-Teaching Staff
- Omomah Napoleon Divine – Technologist
- Oderohwo Lauretta Oghenevwiare – Higher Executive Officer
- Etaoghene Kelvin – Non-Teaching Staff
- Ovobovwori Theophilus – Hostel Assistant Supervisor
“These are only a few of the names I can readily recall. Many of us have already resumed work and are contributing to the institution’s development,” he added.
Mr. Ovobovwori emphasized that it would have been impossible for the Polytechnic management to sideline the host communities, noting that the recruitment process enjoyed the oversight and commitment of the Governing Council, which has been steadfast in protecting local employment opportunities.
“There is no way such an exercise could have been done without including members of the host communities, especially with the guidance of the Council, who have made it clear that our interests must be protected,” he stated.
An anonymous staff member also dismissed Mr. Okei’s claim as hypocritical, revealing that two of his relatives currently work at the institution.
“His biological daughter, Favour Okei, works directly in the Rector’s office, and another, Bukky Okei, his niece, works in the bursary unit. So it is strange to hear him say our people were not employed,” the source disclosed.
Mr. Ovobovwori concluded by expressing appreciation to the Polytechnic Council and management for keeping faith with the host communities and encouraged continued collaboration for more employment opportunities in the future.
“We were employed. Many of us were employed. The Rector and management have also promised to do even more in the future,” he affirmed.
The Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, has continued to expand its workforce as academic and administrative activities deepen, with assurances from its management that community inclusion will remain a guiding principle.