The Academic staff Union(ASUP),Joint Unions of SSANIP and NASU of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku accused Governing Council Chairman, Pastor Hon. Paul Adingupu of a conflict of interest, Lawlessness, Financial recklessness, Overbearing conduct of the Governing Council, Highhandedness and Unilateral decision making, Adingupu led Board had undermined the institution’s rules and violated the principles of transparency and due process.
The above bodies also raised strong objections to the continued leadership of Pastor Hon. Paul Adingupu as Council Chairman, accusing him of bias,incompetence and fostering division within the Polytechnic. It is essential that the appointment of Pastor Hon. Paul Adingupu as the Chairman of the Governing Council be revisited and reviewed, with suggestions that the entire Council be reconstituted in light of recent events.
In Delta State Polytechnic,Ogwashi-Uku – Nigeria where ambition and academia intertwine, a shadow looms large over the institution’s esteemed reputation. At the helm of the Governing Council, the Chairman, Pastor Hon. Paul Adingupu finds himself entangled in a web of controversy and stark ignorance of the statutory provisions establishing the Polytechnic. He has been accused of running the polytechnic as his personal estate with impunity.
The whispers of discontent among faculty and students alike have grown louder, revealing a landscape marked by missed opportunities, alleged mismanagement, and ethical dilemmas. As the governing body grapples with its tarnished image, the question looms: how did the Governing Council descend into a saga of disillusionment?
This feature delves deeply into the complexities surrounding the Chairman’s fall from grace, shedding light on the myriad challenges and decisions that have led to this precarious juncture in the institution’s history. Through interviews, testimonies, and an analysis of the unfolding drama, Community Newspaper Publishers seeks to unravel the narrative that holds the potential to redefine the trajectory of Delta State Polytechnic and its leadership.
Recently, the Chairman of the Governing Council threw the institution into turmoil, overshadowing its mission of education and development. Allegations of misconduct and self-serving financial gain have sparked outrage among management staff, students, and the wider community, raising pressing questions about leadership, accountability, and ethical governance.
Reports indicate that the Chairman has strayed far from his intended role. Instead of embodying the principles of oversight and governance necessary for a prestigious institution, he has become an embodiment of self-interest and an oppressive ruler. Evidence suggests that his primary focus has shifted towards collecting a staggering monetary honorarium. From our investigation it was alleged that under few months, he has amassed over N11 million under the disguise of impress and allowances. Drawing attention to a disconcerting pattern, one that sees him more invested in personal gain than in the welfare of the institution in his local Government Area that he is meant to oversee.
From the investigation of the Community Newspaper Publishers the Chairman’s approach has deeply troubled the school management. His daily appearances at the Polytechnic seem less about governance and more about entrenching his authority and securing funds for himself. This preoccupation raises a fundamental question: does he even understand the governance structure of higher educational institutions? Is he supposed to be coming to work everyday as governing Board chairman? Hon. Adingupu has failed to follow the rules and regulation guiding his appointment as the Governing Board Chairman as stipulated in the Institution Act.
The Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku Governing Council Chairman, Pastor Hon. Paul Adingupu claimed that (Prof) Emmanuel Achuenu has been suspended for six months by the School Governing Council over alleged financial misappropriation, gross-misconduct,Sales of Polytechnic assets without Council’s approval which is a breach of the Delta State government auctioneering law. He forwarded the letter to the Executive Governor, Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Higher Education. His allegations are stated below:
“Unlawful diversion of Polytechnic funds into the Registrar’s personal account for purchases of unauthorized vehicles for principal officers, contrary to extant financial regulatory laws of Delta State. “Unexplained spending of the sum of Three Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty Naira (N3,920,000) as balance payment for Principal Officers generators which had been fully paid for in 2023.
“Release of Six Million Naira (N6,000,000) to a contractor, Chulico Best Ventures, for the renovation of the Polytechnic Event Center even when no work has commenced on the site. Illegal approval of the sum of Fifteen Million Naira (N15,000,000) for the repair of solar light contrary to the MOU signed between the Polytechnic and the solar company. “Illegal withdrawals from the NIPOGA accounts.
Disobedience to Council’s directive to remove the names of nineteen (19) dead and absconded staff from the State Government payroll etc.
When contacted on the allegations, the embattled Rector of the Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic, Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu said the allegations were baseless as he tendered a lot of documents to buttress his claims, he said that he was appointed to develop the school and that he has been doing for the past years. Prof. Achuenu said the school Governing Council Chairman and its members have been battling with him since last year even when they didn’t have the constitutional right to suspend him.
When the Community Newspaper Publishers visited the school to investigate some of the claimed allegations against the Rector, we visited the Polytechnic Event Center awarded to Chulico Best Ventures and discovered that the job was executed hundred percent as against the claim by the Governing Council Chairman, Pastor Hon. Paul Adingupu that the job was not executed. The Community Newspaper Publishers also investigated the sales and auction of the schools properties as claimed by the board chairman, the publishers were disappointed because all the abandoned vehicles were still intact inside the school and the Rector showed us documents to prove that the vehicles were not sold as accused by the Board chairman.( Pictures attached below for proof).
The crux of the matter unfolds against the backdrop of what many observers identify as a culture fostered by self-centered leadership. This culture manifests as an obsession with personal accolades and financial incentives over institutional integrity and academic excellence. The inclination to collect vast sums as honorarium, seemingly with little accountability, illustrates a profound misalignment of priorities. Rather than serving the institution, the Chairman appears to be leveraging his position for personal enrichment at a time when the Polytechnic’s resources could be directed toward hiring more qualified staff, improving facilities, or developing innovative academic programs.
The effective governance of an educational institution is built on a foundation of trust, transparency, and commitment to its mission—none of which align with the actions reported. If the Chairman of the Governing Council continues down this path, it risks undermining not just the Polytechnic reputation but the very future of the students who rely on it for their education.
The revelations surrounding the Chairman’s motivations and actions bring to light a pressing concern that extends beyond the confines of Delta State Polytechnic. It underscores a predicament faced by many institutions in Nigeria and beyond: how to foster leadership that prioritizes the needs of the academic community over personal ambition.
The Ministry of Higher Education recently sent a letter addressing the suspension of the Rector, Bl. Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu, which has further amplified the discourse surrounding the Chairman’s role. While the Governing Council’s decision to suspend the Rector is surreptitiously aimed at upholding discipline and accountability, the Ministry’s response suggests a profound misinterpretation of statutory provisions. Clearly, the confusion regarding hierarchy and procedural adherence in disciplinary actions reflects poorly not only on the Chairman but also on his apparent disregard for established governance frameworks.
The Commissioner further emphasized that without a properly constituted investigative committee, any disciplinary action taken against the Rector might be deemed null and void. The framework demands that due process be followed—issuing a written query, forming a committee, a recommendation to the visitor through the Ministry of Higher Education — none of which seem to have occurred in this instance. Such procedural negligence raises alarming implications about the Chairman’s comprehension of his duties, as well as a potential lack of respect for due process.
Furthermore, the dynamic between the Governing Council, the Ministry of Higher Education and the Management Staff requires scrutiny. For institutions to thrive, a cooperative and respectful relationship must exist, where both parties can enforce regulations and uphold standards without infringing on the rights and dignity of educators and administrators. The current situation raises questions about the effectiveness of oversight bodies and whether they are equipped to handle allegations of misconduct without bias.
Notably, the statement from the Ministry of Higher Education appears to favor the Rector, exposing the flaws and in-competencies of the Chairman and his Council members. Leadership should not be about personal gain but about empowering others to thrive academically and professionally.
As the narrative of Delta State Polytechnic unfolds, the institution stands at a critical crossroads. The next steps taken by both the Governing Council and the Ministry will be pivotal. Will they prioritize a return to a culture of ethical governance? or will self-interest continue to supplant commitment to the institution’s mission?
In a landscape where higher education serves as a gateway to opportunity and advancement, Delta State Polytechnic must strive to reclaim its standing. The actions of the Chairman will determine not just his legacy but the institution’s future—a future that should reflect integrity, accountability, and a profound commitment to education.
As this situation continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities held by those in leadership positions and the imperative to uphold the ethical standards that define academic institutions. Without such oversight, the very fabric of educational integrity risks unraveling, leaving a lasting impact on generations to come.
For all stakeholders—students, faculty members, and the wider community—the hope is for a restoration of trust, a re-evaluation of priorities, and a recommitment to the values that should guide any educational institution. It is essential that the appointment of the Chairman of the Governing Council be revisited and reviewed, with suggestions that the entire Council be reconstituted in light of recent events. We are calling on the state government to dissolve the Emperor-like Governing Council headed by Pastor Hon. Paul Adingupu and re- appoint a new Governing Council that will have the interest of the School at heart. The swift intervention to rescue the Polytechnic from this looming crisis will reaffirm the state government commitment to accountability and rule of Law.
Attached are some of our investigation pictures for your perusal.
