Okoro Hails Ufuophu-Biri at Birthday, Commends Transformative Strides at Delta Poly Otefe-Oghara.

By Henry Ubus.

A lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Dr. Okoro Ferdinand, has felicitated with the 5th substantive Rector of the institution, Professor Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, on his birthday anniversary, describing him as a focused, humble and goal-oriented administrator.

In a congratulatory message issued on Sunday, August 23, 2026, Dr. Okoro described Professor Ufuophu-Biri as a distinguished media scholar and magnate whose tenure as Rector has brought remarkable transformation and development to the Polytechnic.

He particularly commended the Rector for his achievements since assuming office, noting that his administration had secured accreditation for 23 new programmes, resulting in the creation of an additional school and an increase in the number of programmes offered by the Polytechnic from 30 to 53.According to him, the administration has also embarked on the construction of six major buildings, including the new Administrative Office, ICT Complex, School of Business Office Complex, School of ICT and Media Studies Complex, 1,000-seater Lecture Theatre and School of Applied Sciences Office Complex. Dr. Okoro further lauded the Rector for increasing the number of schools in the institution from eight to 14, describing the development as a significant milestone in the history of the Polytechnic.

He commended Professor Ufuophu-Biri for maintaining a robust and cordial relationship with staff unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), which, he said, had contributed to a strike-free administration.The lecturer also praised the Rector for establishing various units and directorates, including SERVICOM and Integrity-related structures, while retaining and sustaining ad-hoc staff despite the Polytechnic’s lean Internally Generated Revenue and competing financial obligations.

He noted that promotion exercises for deserving staff had been conducted seamlessly and without unnecessary delays, adding that the institution had also witnessed a remarkable increase in its National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) admission quota from about 1,000 to over 8,000.Dr. Okoro identified the Rector’s interventions in power and energy, particularly the solarisation of facilities, as another major achievement, saying the initiative had enhanced the institution’s power supply and operational efficiency.

On digital transformation, he commended the administration for introducing online posting of students’ results and establishing an ICT and Visibility Committee to strengthen the Polytechnic’s digital presence and administrative processes.He also applauded the Rector for improving healthcare services at the institution through the provision of an X-ray machine, regular supply of drugs and a soundproof generator, as well as partnering with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to facilitate the regular deployment of medical doctors and pharmacists to complement the existing staff at the Polytechnic’s Health Centre.

Dr. Okoro described the achievements as evidence of Professor Ufuophu-Biri’s commitment to academic excellence, staff welfare, infrastructure development and institutional growth.He said the Rector’s humility, accessibility, vision and determination to achieve set goals had continued to distinguish his administration, expressing confidence that the Polytechnic would attain greater heights under his leadership.While wishing Professor Ufuophu-Biri a joyous birthday celebration, Dr. Okoro prayed God to grant him long life, sound health, wisdom and prosperity, as well as continued strength to contribute to the development of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, and the education sector at large.