By Foster Akpore | Orogun, Delta State
Barely two years after its establishment, the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, has continued to attract national recognition and community support, following the sterling performance of its students who clinched first place at an engineering quiz competition organized by the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the MOM Civic Centre, Warri.
In a show of encouragement and solidarity, the Onotu-Uku of Orogun Kingdom, Chief Do-Good O. Efe-Nogo, JP, on Tuesday 21st, October , 2025, rewarded the victorious students and the School of Engineering for bringing honour to the young institution.
Chief Efe-Nogo presented ₦100,000 each to the two students — Mr. Siemur Ohwavweoriete (Electrical/Electronic Engineering) and Mr. Oyibocha Goodluck (Mechanical Engineering) — and an additional ₦100,000 to the School of Engineering, commending the Dean, Engr. Clifford Ogheneme, for his mentorship and supervision.
“This school is barely two and a half years old, yet it is breaking grounds,” Chief Efe-Nogo said. “Apart from the students who are excelling, the management and staff are doing great. Reports from the community about your conduct and performance are all positive. The dream of the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, KSJ, in bringing this institution to Orogun is clearly being fulfilled. You have the right team on ground, and you are doing a great job.”
The community leader lauded the Polytechnic’s swift progress in securing multiple programme accreditations from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), noting that “some schools over ten years old are yet to achieve such a feat.”
Receiving the delegation, the Rector, Professor Duke Okoro, described the gesture as “a shining example of how true sons of Orogun Kingdom continue to uphold the values of excellence, meritocracy, and community advancement.”
“The visit by Chief Do-Good and his team is a reaffirmation of the bond between town and gown,” Prof. Okoro said. “At Federal Polytechnic Orogun, we celebrate performance, reward hard work, and nurture innovation. Chief Do-Good’s act of generosity perfectly aligns with our institution’s values. His gesture is not just a donation — it is a statement that the community stands firmly behind its citadel of learning.”
The Rector recalled how the students triumphed over older institutions — the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) and the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) — at the competition themed “Applying Engineering Solutions to Tanker Explosion and Fire Outbreak.” Their winning presentation on fire-resistant tanker materials and real-time leakage detection impressed judges for its practicality and innovation.
He noted that the Polytechnic had earlier granted the duo full tuition scholarships and cash awards on behalf of the Governing Council, praising their achievement as “evidence of FEPO’s steady rise as a centre of excellence.”
Speaking on the sidelines, Engr. Clifford Ogheneme, Dean of the School of Engineering, narrated how the Polytechnic promptly responded to the invitation and selected the best-performing students to represent it. “When the results were announced, there was a thunderous applause for our students. Everyone was amazed that such a young institution could perform at that level,” he said, appreciating the Rector’s consistent support and motivation.
In her remarks, the Registrar, Mrs. Christine Aluyi, described the event as “a proud reflection of FEPO’s steady rise as a place where brilliance is nurtured and every achievement celebrated.” She commended the students’ discipline and the School of Engineering’s dedication to practical learning.
Also speaking, the Polytechnic Librarian, Professor Edwin Achugbue, expressed optimism about future partnerships with international institutions, calling on Chief Efe-Nogo to use his global contacts to mobilize support from the diaspora to establish an endowment fund for the Polytechnic.
“What we are witnessing today is the fruit of an academic environment that inspires creativity and rewards distinction” Prof. Achugbue stated
In a brief remark, Chief John Agabi, Secretary of the Orogun Traditional Council of Chiefs, commended the Polytechnic’s rapid growth and compared its trajectory to that of Afe Babalola University. “This institution is barely two years old and already winning national competitions — it’s a major advertisement for Orogun,” he said, urging wider publicity of the Polytechnic’s achievements and pledged the support of the Orogun Traditional Council of Chiefs.
Responding on behalf of the students, Mr. Ohwavweoriete expressed gratitude to Chief Efe-Nogo and the Polytechnic management. “We thank the Rector, our guest, and all staff for recognizing our efforts. We are motivated to continue to uphold the school’s motto — Innovate and be Great,” he said.
The event, held at the Rector’s Office Complex, was attended by the Polytechnic’s principal officers — Mrs. Pamela Edwin (Bursar), Dr. Efetobor O. Elijah (Director of Academic Planning), and members of the Onotu-Uku’s delegation including CSP George Omunu, DPO, Orogun, Chief O.J. Orogun (JP), Otota of Orogun Traditional Council of Chiefs and Chief John Agabi.
As Federal Polytechnic Orogun continues to blaze the trail in innovation and academic excellence, its growing synergy with the Orogun community underscores a shared commitment to education, development, and nation-building.