KEY POINTS

• OO Poly Aba will introduce EdTech courses under Abia State Ministry of Education directives, with full accreditation required before the Osisioma campus relocation
• Osisioma campus infrastructure is advancing, with water reticulation, road construction and an administrative building expected by September
• The polytechnic has approved an NDLEA student drug awareness programme with training sessions scheduled for May-June and November

Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba plans to introduce Educational Technology courses and launch a formal drug awareness partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Rector Christopher Okoro Kalu announced at the institution’s Academic Board meeting this week.

Kalu said OO Poly Aba is acting on directives from the Abia State Ministry of Education, which has asked institutions to equip students with skills in digital tools, instructional design and modern teaching practices.

Moreover, he confirmed that all new courses must complete accreditation or resource verification processes before the polytechnic relocates to its Osisioma campus.

Construction at the Osisioma site is gathering pace. The Ministry of Public Utilities has started water reticulation work there, with a one-month completion target and an expected service life of 50 years.

Osisioma campus taking shape ahead of move

The Ministry of Works is overseeing internal road construction covering Phase One and Phase Two, while work has also begun on the administrative building, which Kalu said should be ready by September. The rector also confirmed plans for an EYE Content Hub, to be housed in the institution’s ICT building, giving Film and Multimedia Production students practical training aligned to current industry standards.

Kalu acknowledged the Abia State Government for formally handing over facilities that the former Abia State University, Uturu, had developed on the site, adding to what the campus already offers.

NDLEA partnership targets student drug abuse at OO Poly Aba

Meanwhile, Kalu approved a collaboration with the NDLEA Abia State Command after receiving state coordinator CN Chigbu Odomelam Chilee at the institution’s Council Chamber.

Chilee flagged rising substance abuse among young people across the state and called for peer sensitization campaigns and healthy-lifestyle programmes within the polytechnic.

Furthermore, Kalu endorsed the intervention, framing drug abuse as one of the gravest threats to national development. “Nothing destroys a nation quicker than drug abuse. Aside from its impact on mental health, it also contributes to poverty,” he said.

Student training sessions will run from May to June, with another round in November. Kalu stressed the need for continuous sensitization to sustain the gains of the campaign.