It was a day of encomiums last
Wednesday as some staff of College of Education, Agbor, under the aegis of
Committee of Friends, held a send-off party for Dr. Festus Akpotohwo, who
recently left the institution for Niger Delta University, Wilberforce, Bayelsa
State.
In an address, Mr. Best Ugala, said the essence of the ceremony was
hinged on promoting friendship devoid of primordial sentiments which he said
was needed to testify the emergence of a new dawn in the institution.
According to him, there was a failed
attempt in the past to honour another member of the group who served
diligently, attributing the botched effort to primordial irrationality.
While stating that Dr. Akpotohwo as a
hardworking man, Mr. Ugala said, ‘twice he sought the mandate of the congress
to serve as Secretary of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Agbor
Chapter, and twice won. For the four years he served, he allowed no stain to
touch his banner’ adding that his role in unionism did not becloud his hunger
for academic growth.
In his remarks, Dr. F.O.Onwuka, who chaired the occasion, said the
involvement of both academic and non-academic staff in the party clearly
indicated that Dr. Akpotohwo served both the high and low while in the college.
While wishing him success in his new place work, Dr. Onwuka appealed to him to
always maintain contact with his friends.
In his remarks Dr. Akpotohwo, said he was flabbergasted by the honour
extend to him by his former colleagues, adding that he was grateful to Dr.
E.U.Tibi for his academic attainment.
‘I am a Ph.D holder today courtesy of Dr. Tibi. He had opportunity to sack us as unionists
but he chose not. It was while we were on suspension that I had time to put
more efforts on my work. Even in heat of labour-related crisis with Dr. Tibi,
he still showed a lot of respect for us. He attended all our ceremonies knowing
he would be with perceived enemies. He privately advised me not allow labour
maters dim my academic pursuit. It was for this reason that I called him first
as soon as I successfully defended my papers.’
While paying glowing tribute to Comrade Benson Eshenaike, the immediate
past chairman of COEASU, Dr. Akpotohwo said he was happy that their few areas
of disagreement were resolved in the interest of all.
Dr. Festus Akpotohwo was officially introduced at the event by Comrade
Benson Eshenaike with glowing citation.
The highpoint of the event was the
presentation of gifts by the group to Dr. Akpotohwo who attended the ceremony
with his wife.
The ceremony was attended by eminent
personalities in the college community including Dr (Mrs.) Josephine Koyeme,
Deputy Provost; Dr. E.U.Tibi, Mr. B.O.Awana, College Librarian; Dr. Ossai,
COEASU Chairman; Dr. Uche, lecturer, Department of Chemistry; Mr. Andy Ajabor,
immediate past registrar; Mr. Peter Okokoyo, HOD, Chemistry Department and
Dr.(Mrs.) Nwaham
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