Education: Rector commits to protecting rights of PWDs

OWERRI (Sundiata Scholar) – The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Mrs Basilia Igbokwe, has affirmed her commitment to respecting the rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to education.

Igbokwe said this during an interactive session with newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday.

She said that her penchant for protecting the rights of PWDs informed her decision to award scholarships to three PWDs during the institution’s matriculation ceremony on April 10, 2025.

She urged PWDs to be courageous in their quest for academic excellence, adding that they had as much rights as other Nigerian students.

Igbokwe further spoke on the management’s efforts toward promoting academic excellence in the institution.

According to him, the institution’s management has provided a conducive learning atmosphere, state-of-the-art facilities and well-trained staff for students to excel.

She, therefore, advised the new students to set clear personal and academic goals, develop a growth mindset, build positive relationships and organise and manage time wisely in their pursuit of academic excellence.

“I urge our new students to take responsibility for their academic and personal growth as their success is our priority and we are committed to supporting them every step of the way.

“We have restored electricity and relative steady power supply on campus, while attracting 233 solar street lights from the Niger Delta Development Commission.

“Under our leadership, over 80 per cent of the 50,000 backlog of students have been successfully cleared for the National Youth Service Corps, boosting the confidence of students about prompt service years after graduation,“ she said.

She urged the new students, especially the PWDs, not to be deterred by their challenges but take the bull by the horn and pursue their dreams without distraction.
(NAN)