Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba

23/10/2026

16/10/2026

HURRRAY……..

OOPOLY Student Malachi Gideon Wins ₦5m At Rising Gem Talent Show
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‎Malachi Gideon, a student of the Department of Mass Communication, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, has emerged winner of the grand finale of The Rising Gem Talent Discovery Show, held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia.
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‎ The event was hosted by the wife of the Abia State Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, in conjunction with her Safe Tent Care Initiative.
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‎Gideon, a gospel artiste who previously served as the Departmental Director of Socials for the 2024/2025 academic session, distinguished himself among 13 contestants who made it to the grand finale.
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‎ His outstanding performance earned him a place among the final six contestants, before he advanced to the top three and eventually clinched the overall prize of ₦5 million.
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‎The competition included a panel of judges comprising renowned gospel artistes Preye Odede, Joe Praise and Buchi, alongside Arinola Ajagba, a gospel minister and wife of the Abia State Chief of Staff. Gideon impressed the judges with his performance, emerging ahead of the other finalists to claim the top prize.
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‎The Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, who attended the event, commended the contestants for their talent, confidence and boldness.
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‎He noted that their performances showed that Abia is indeed rising and announced a reward of ₦500,000 for each contestant.
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‎“All the contestants are winners,” the Governor said, applauding their efforts and encouraging them to continue pursuing their talents.
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‎Congratulating Malachi Gideon on his victory, the Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, Engr. Dr. Christopher Okoro Kalu, praised the student for putting the institution in the spotlight through his musical talent, adding that his success reinforces OOPOLY's growing reputation as a breeding ground for talent and excellence.
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‎Congratulations to Malachi Gideon on this outstanding achievement. His success is a proud moment for Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.

13/10/2026

LEEX 2026: IGBERE TV FOUNDER PRESENTS AWARD NOTIFICATION TO OOPOLY RECTOR

…Kalu Credits Divine Grace, Cites Staff Welfare Reforms, Rising Enrolment and Institutional Growth

The Founder and Executive Director of Igbere TV and organiser of the Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX), Mr Emeh James Anyalekwa, has visited the Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, Engr. Dr. Christopher Okoro Kalu, to formally notify him of his emergence as the 2026 Education Administrator of the Year at the 8th Leadership Excellence Awards.

The visit took place on Tueday, October 12, 2026, following Okoro’s emergence as the overall winner of the award through a nationwide public voting exercise concluded in August.

Okoro polled 148,267 votes, ahead of the former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Prof. Nnenna Oti, who emerged first runner-up, and the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who placed second runner-up.

The award presentation ceremony is scheduled for November 12, 2026, at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Banquet Hall, Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, Anyalekwa outlined the purpose of the Leadership Excellence Awards, which recognises individuals for their contributions to public service, education, politics, business and other fields.

He noted that Igbere TV had organised the awards annually since 2019 to recognise outstanding leadership and professional achievement across Nigeria and Africa.

Responding to questions from Anyalekwa and journalists present, Okoro expressed gratitude for the recognition, attributing his emergence to divine grace and viewing the award as a call to greater responsibility.

“Grace brought me this far, and I feel great about it. I see it as a call to duty,” the Rector said, adding that his understanding of Scripture had reinforced his belief in the role of God's grace in human affairs.

He, however, stressed that grace must be accompanied by diligence, consistency and a deliberate commitment to doing what is right to produce meaningful results.

Speaking on his motivation for public service, Okoro cited his passion for teaching and his desire to contribute to society, particularly by creating opportunities for young people and improving lives beyond the classroom.

“I want to impact not just the lives of young people, but the public as a whole, and that is what I am doing,” he said.

The Rector reiterated his ambition to position Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic as one of Africa’s leading institutions of technical education, capable of competing globally.

He acknowledged the role of Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, in giving him the opportunity to serve and said his administration remained guided by the principle that the right things must be done to achieve lasting institutional progress.

On the challenges inherited upon assuming office in March 2024, Okoro identified outstanding staff salary arrears, delayed promotions and strained institutional relationships among the issues his administration had to address.

He disclosed that staff promotions had not been conducted since 2012 before his appointment, adding that the Polytechnic is preparing appraisal exercises for the 2025 and 2026 promotion cycles.

Okoro also cited improved relations among staff and students, pointing to the emergence of an Akwa Ibom indigene as President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) as evidence of an institutional environment that transcends ethnic and state boundaries.

On student enrolment, he recalled that the Polytechnic had previously experienced low intake but said the institution was now recording more than 6,000 new intakes, with enrolment still ongoing.

He credited Governor Otti’s support with helping the Polytechnic pursue its development agenda, noting that the state government had given the institution considerable attention under the present administration.

Okoro also commended Igbere TV for sustaining the Leadership Excellence Awards, noting that recognising excellence requires integrity and a genuine appreciation of outstanding performance.

“Any man who tries to identify excellence must be excellent. I want to tell everyone that Igbere TV is excellent,” he said.

12/10/2026

NANS Elects OOPOLY Student Njoku As Abia JCC Chairman

Comr. Richard Chijoke Njoku, an ND II student of the Department of Legal Studies, School of Mass Communication, Media and Legal Studies at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, has emerged Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Committee (JCC), Abia State, after securing the unanimous votes of Students’ Union Government (SUG) presidents from nine tertiary institutions in the state.

Njoku emerged unopposed in the 2026 annual electoral cycle of the Abia State JCC, with the chairmanship zoned to Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba. The election was conducted by the Independent Convention Planning Committee (ICPC) of NANS.

Ahead of the election, members of the committee, led by Comr. Cokey Lordson Nwachukwu paid a courtesy visit to the Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Engr. Dr. Christopher Okoro Kalu, at the Polytechnic’s Council Chambers.

Cokey thanked the Rector for his support for students and his role in student affairs across Abia State, noting his consistent attention to issues affecting students.

“You’ve always been consistent. Thank you for your fatherly role as long as students are involved in Abia State,” Cokey said.

He expressed confidence that the incoming administration would carry other student leaders along and give due consideration to the interests of students across the state.

Responding, Okoro urged the student leaders to prioritise students’ safety and welfare, regardless of their positions within the association.

“Make Abia a safer place for the students. Do the needful and support the government of the day,” the Rector said.

He welcomed the incoming chairman and said the Polytechnic and the association accepted him in good faith, urging him to uphold integrity and responsibility in office.

“We accepted you in good faith. Be faithful. If you aren’t faithful in little, it will be very difficult to be faithful in much,” Okoro said.

The Rector also commended Njoku’s participation in student affairs, noting his involvement in student leadership alongside his academic pursuits, regardless of age.

On inclusion and public service, Okoro referenced Governor Alex Otti’s stated position against ethnic and tribal considerations in governance, urging the student leaders to judge people by their character and conduct rather than their place of origin.

“For the fact that you’re living and working in Abia, you’re an Abian. Therefore, relate to people based on who they are, not where they’re coming from. What matters is that you’re a human being and you can do what is right,” he said.

Okoro also commended the NANS leadership for its objective handling of the electoral process, thanking the officials for standing by what he considered right.

Njoku’s emergence places an OOPOLY student at the helm of the Abia State JCC for the 2026 annual electoral cycle.

07/10/2026

OOPOLY Mourns Azogu, Pays Tribute To A Life Of Service

Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, has held a service of songs in honour of Mrs. Cynthia Eberechukwu Azogu, a staff member who died on August 19, 2026, while still in active service to the institution.

Mrs. Azogu served in various units of the Polytechnic, including the Senior Staff Personnel (SSP) and Library Units, before her final posting as an Administrative Officer in the Department of Cooperative Economics and Management.

Colleagues remembered her for her calm disposition, selflessness and dependability, as well as the stability she brought to her workplace. Her conduct at work, they noted, reflected a strong sense of duty and respect for professional responsibilities.

Fondly called “Madam Ebere” by colleagues, she was known for her peaceful nature, high level of punctuality and ability to sustain cordial working relationships even under demanding circumstances.

The Head of Department, Dr. Lovinah, spoke of the late staff member’s reliability and capacity to keep the department running smoothly, particularly during periods when she was away on official institutional assignments.

She recalled how Mrs. Azogu consistently took charge of departmental responsibilities in her absence, describing her loss as a deep void for both the department and the wider Polytechnic community.

The Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, Engr. Dr. Christopher Okoro Kalu, who attended the service alongside members of the Management, expressed deep sorrow over her passing while delivering a tribute in her honour.

“This is one of the addresses I would not want to make at this time. But we will not question God’s decision. She did not just die in active service; she died while rendering her service,” Okoro said.

The Rector said Mrs. Azogu exemplified diligence, dedication and a strong work ethic, noting that she approached her responsibilities with seriousness, punctuality and a clear understanding of the demands of public service.

According to him, she did more than occupy an official position, as she committed her time, energy and abilities to the discharge of her duties and the advancement of the institution.

Drawing from Ecclesiastes 7:2, Okoro urged members of the Polytechnic community and the bereaved family to reflect on the value of the life she lived, even as they mourned her passing.

“It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.” — Ecclesiastes 7:2.

The Rector, on behalf of the Management, also expressed the institution’s willingness to support the family, requesting that one of the late staff member’s children who had graduated from a higher institution be considered for employment at the Polytechnic as a way of sustaining her family’s connection with the institution she served.

06/10/2026

OOPOLY Records 80% Drop In Electricity Cost As Rector Credits Aba Power

The Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, Engr. Dr. Christopher Okoro Kalu, has disclosed that the institution has recorded an estimated 80 per cent reduction in its electricity expenditure since it began receiving supply from Aba Power.

Okoro made the disclosure on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, while responding to questions from journalists during a field interaction with representatives of Aba Power Limited Electric (APLE) at the Polytechnic.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the Rector to give a firsthand account of the institution’s experience with Aba Power, particularly the changes recorded in its power consumption, operating costs and day-to-day academic activities since its connection to the electricity network.

According to the Rector, the financial burden associated with self-generation was one of the major challenges confronting the institution when he assumed office.

“Power was one of the first bills I met. A substantial amount of the funds available to the institution was going into diesel and the running of generators,” Okoro said.

He recalled that following his engagement with Prof. Bart Nnaji, founder and Chairman of Geometric Power, the immediate power needs of the Polytechnic received prompt attention.

Okoro said the shift from heavy dependence on diesel-powered generators to Aba Power has since produced measurable changes across the institution, with the reduction in electricity expenditure freeing resources previously committed to power generation.

Beyond the financial gains, the Rector said the availability of more dependable electricity has begun to influence research, teaching, students’ projects and the general working environment within the Polytechnic.

He noted that the institution had previously witnessed situations where staff and students had to leave campus with unfinished academic and practical work because of inadequate power supply.

“Before now, you barely saw staff and students comfortable doing their work here. Today, it is different. Even as late as 6pm, you can still see students in their numbers, sitting comfortably and using electricity to continue their work,” he said.

The Rector further linked the improved power supply to increased productivity among students, better conditions for research and practical work, and greater opportunity for students to develop and sustain small online businesses within the institution.

He also identified reduced dependence on generators as a relief from the noise and environmental burden associated with constant diesel combustion, adding that the improved power situation has contributed to a more conducive atmosphere for academic and social activities.

Okoro expressed satisfaction with the relationship between the Polytechnic and Aba Power, stressing that the institution's experience goes beyond simply receiving electricity.

“We are not just enjoying it; we are happy,” the Rector said.

06/10/2026

Rector, Ogbonnaya Onu polytechnic Aba, Dr. Christopher Okoro Kalu fields questions from Journalists, assessing the Aba Power so far in the institution since the campus got connected to the grid.

30/09/2026

Video

Scenes of Jubilation as Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Academic Board Endorses Dr. Alex Otti for Second Term

The Academic Board of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, has unanimously endorsed His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti for a second term in office. The endorsement follows his administrative policies that continue to uplift staff members and the institution.