THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC BIDA ALUMNI: MATTERS ARISING

This is a clarion call to the general public, especially graduates of the Federal Polytechnic Bida (FPB), regarding the growing concern over the mismanagement of the Alumni Association and its finances. To begin with, an Alumni Association is typically an independent body of former students committed to fostering unity, organizing networking events, reunions, and giving back to their alma mater. The Federal Polytechnic Bida, established in 1977, has graduated thousands of students who are now spread across different sectors of the economy. In the 2015/2016 academic session, the institution, through the Alumni Association and with the support of the school management, mandated all graduating students to pay a sum of ₦2,000, later increased to ₦3,000, before they could be issued their results or certificates. To this day, the leadership of the Alumni Association has failed to account for the funds collected over the years. Understandably, many concerned alumni have expressed dissatisfaction with the way the Association has been run. To reposition and reorganize the Association, it was agreed that a caretaker committee be constituted to oversee the process of electing a new, credible leadership. A group of committed stakeholders was carefully selected and charged with this responsibility. The committee was already 80% done with their assignment when, surprisingly, the Rector of the Polytechnic dissolved the committee without justification—reportedly because they refused to be influenced by him. Subsequently, the Rector unilaterally constituted a parallel committee and supervised an election conducted under his direction. This action is unacceptable. What we demand is a transparent, independent, and credible election into the executive positions of the Alumni Association—free from any interference by the Polytechnic management. Any outcome from a process that lacks independence and transparency will be rejected, and we will pursue every legitimate means to ensure sanity and true autonomy in our dear Association. We ask: Why is the management of FPB focused on interfering in Alumni affairs rather than improving the institution and making it a hub of academic excellence that attracts students both locally and internationally? The Polytechnic’s meddlesomeness in Alumni Association affairs has become intolerable. If the motivation is to gain financial control, let it be known: this will not succeed. The Alumni Association is an independent body, not a department of the school administration. We in the media and concerned stakeholders must now shine the spotlight on this growing problem and ensure that undue interference is exposed and resisted. We cannot be victimized as students and still be oppressed as Alumni. Despite these challenges, it remains a great honor to serve the institution that has helped shape who we are today. It is on this note that I call on all proud graduates of the Federal Polytechnic Bida to rise, be part of the process, and reclaim the Association that truly belongs to us all. Thank you.THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC BIDA ALUMNI: MATTERS ARISING This is a clarion call to the general public, especially graduates of the Federal Polytechnic Bida (FPB), regarding the growing concern over the mismanagement of the Alumni Association and its finances. To begin with, an Alumni Association is typically an independent body of former students committed to fostering unity, organizing networking events, reunions, and giving back to their alma mater. The Federal Polytechnic Bida, established in 1977, has graduated thousands of students who are now spread across different sectors of the economy. In the 2015/2016 academic session, the institution, through the Alumni Association and with the support of the school management, mandated all graduating students to pay a sum of ₦2,000, later increased to ₦3,000, before they could be issued their results or certificates. To this day, the leadership of the Alumni Association has failed to account for the funds collected over the years. Understandably, many concerned alumni have expressed dissatisfaction with the way the Association has been run. To reposition and reorganize the Association, it was agreed that a caretaker committee be constituted to oversee the process of electing a new, credible leadership. A group of committed stakeholders was carefully selected and charged with this responsibility. The committee was already 80% done with their assignment when, surprisingly, the Rector of the Polytechnic dissolved the committee without justification—reportedly because they refused to be influenced by him. Subsequently, the Rector unilaterally constituted a parallel committee and supervised an election conducted under his direction. This action is unacceptable. What we demand is a transparent, independent, and credible election into the executive positions of the Alumni Association—free from any interference by the Polytechnic management. Any outcome from a process that lacks independence and transparency will be rejected, and we will pursue every legitimate means to ensure sanity and true autonomy in our dear Association. We ask: Why is the management of FPB focused on interfering in Alumni affairs rather than improving the institution and making it a hub of academic excellence that attracts students both locally and internationally? The Polytechnic’s meddlesomeness in Alumni Association affairs has become intolerable. If the motivation is to gain financial control, let it be known: this will not succeed. The Alumni Association is an independent body, not a department of the school administration. We in the media and concerned stakeholders must now shine the spotlight on this growing problem and ensure that undue interference is exposed and resisted. We cannot be victimized as students and still be oppressed as Alumni. Despite these challenges, it remains a great honor to serve the institution that has helped shape who we are today. It is on this note that I call on all proud graduates of the Federal Polytechnic Bida to rise, be part of the process, and reclaim the Association that truly belongs to us all. Thank you. Comr Oladimeji Adam Ajibola 2nice 2014 set ND 2020 set HND Tvcnewsng Vanguard News Channels Television Sahara Reporters @highlight @everyone