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The acting registrar of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Mr Donald Okogbaa, is assured that the institution has the human resource and infrastructural capacity to compete with its contemporaries in the country and beyond.
Okogbaa, who gave the affirmation on his 64th birthday, stressed that every university is a product of the law and is adjudged by the competence of its graduates and not by the name.
He said that what matters most is the ability of a graduate to exhibit proficiency and defend the degree awarded by a university, as he cited instances where students and graduates of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education had demonstrated better skills and knowledge ahead of their contemporaries.
He added that with its take-off as an Advanced Teacher Training College; later, a college of Education, and currently, a university, the institution has performed beyond expectation, adding that “Coming from obscurity, the university is doing well.”
The university administrator disclosed that he never knew that he would become the registrar of the institution, as he recounted a life threatening challenge he faced in 2010.
Acknowledging the grace of God in his rise to the highest administrative office at the university, he, however, added that patience, humility, open-mindedness and willingness to learn from superiors are qualities that every worker must possess because they are the hallmark of success.
Okogbaa joined the university, which was formerly Rivers State College of Education in 1989 as Administrative Officer II and rose through the ranks to occupy the topmost administrative position.
He recalled that some of his colleagues left for better places because of the meagre salary they were paid, but expressed gratitude to God that he stayed back, adding that he would leave the institution an accomplished man.
As an advocate for cordial relationship between bosses and subordinates, the registrar said he does not look down on people below him, because expectations in life do not happen to those who “put their feet first”, adding that the God-factor in the affairs of men could bring unexpected turnarounds.
He extolled two former registrars of the institution for the positive impacts they made in his career. One was the late Dr Collins Julius Pekene, whom he called a father and mentor, and whose guidance exposed him to understanding the workings of the university system.
The other was Mrs Hope Kue-Ikoro, whom he praised for her meticulousness in the discharge of her responsibilities and revealed that he learnt so much from her when he was the director of the university senate.
Okogbaa further expressed his indebtedness to the acting vice-chancellor, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, who he said give him the opportunity to prepare ahead of his present position when he made him the director of Administration in his office.
He dismissed speculations of disagreement between him and the vice-chancellor, insisting that it was the handiwork of detractors.
