The Institute of Management and Technology(IMT), Enugu as a foremost, state owned Polytechnic came into existence under the promulgation of the Administrator of then East Central State of Nigeria Ajie Ukpabi Asika. Prior to the establishment of this great Institute, College of Technology which offered courses in Engineering and Laboratory Technology leading to the award of Ordinary Diploma, the Institute of Administration which provided short in-service training for various grades of government officials and the Co-operative College which offered a certificate course in Co-operative Studies to Cooperative Inspectors ministry-wide were in existence.
These Institutions were under direct supervision of the Ministries of Education, Establishment and Rural Development and had all the directing staff drafted from same ministries.
In October 1971, the Ukpabi Asika administration decided to merge the former College of Technology with the Institute of Administration.The merger became imperative as a result of urgent need to grow and develop among the young people, the Managerial, Engineering and Technological intellectuals.
In other to achieve a harmonized ground for learning and intellectual facility, the then Administrator of the East Central State, following a recommendation passed by the Provisional Council, promulgated, Institute of Management and Technology Edict of 1973.
It is heart rending to observe that after many years of the existence of the Technology and Management Institute it’s infrastructures and other amenities have greatly deteriorated. The lecture halls and rooms became largely inadequate owing to the growing population of the students. Staff were being owed humongous salary arrears and promotions of staff impeded. The accreditations of so many departments by relevant authorities were done in arrears. The unwarranted condition and performance of the state owned Polytechnic led to the nose dive of the once Flourishing Citadel of learning. It lost it’s heavy chunk of students population. Other nearby schools such as Federal Polytechnic Oko became the major beneficiary of the humongous loss in material and resources of IMT.
Touched by the anomalous condition of the state indigenous high institution of learning, our development driven Governor, Rt.Hon Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi embarked on massive reformation, redevelopment and restructuring of the Institution. He began by first approving the appointment of Deaconess(Mrs)Ifeoma Nwobodo as the Chairman, IMT Governing Council and Prof.Austin Uchechukwu Nweze as the Rector of the Institute. Immediately after the inauguration of the renowned and accomplished Accountants, Deaconess (Mrs) Ifeoma Nwobodo and Prof.Uchechukwu Nweze, by Gov. Ugwuanyi, IMT fortunes improved. The Institution witnessed uncommon infrastructural renewal in all critical departments.
In furtherance of it’s commitment to rebuild and restore the historical image of IMT as a Cidatel of high repute, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi approved the disbursement of the sum of ₦36Million for the revitalization of the Radio Studio, for the department of Mass Communication. This is aimed at creating an enabling environment for the student of Mass Communication to thrive professionally as well as to stay afloat and have a first-hand mastery of information dissemination strategies and other contemporary and modern techniques of broadcasting.
The Enugu State Executive Council also gave approval for the construction of four massive academic buildings and other structures at the cost of N810 million.
Another breathtaking empowerment was Gov.Ugwuanyi’s approval for the award of scholarship to
One Hundred and Thirty Four students in the Institute’s School of Engineering drawn from various Local Government areas of Enugu State. And in line with its concerted efforts to reposition the foremost state owned academic Institution into a degree awarding one, Governor Ugwuanyi ensured that the issue of accreditation of courses by the National Board for Technical Education ((NBTE) is primarily addressed by his government. To that effect he released the sum of N252 million for the re-accreditation of 41 academic programmes of IMT, Enugu.
In the history of IMT, a record breaking strides/ impact was made through the concerted efforts of Gov.Ugwuanyi. In August 2018, National University Commission(NUC) formally approved an affiliation arrangement for establishment of full-time study for the following courses: Marketing, Accountancy, Banking and Finance, Statistics, Public and Business Administration’s.
The unalloyed commitment of Gov. Ugwuanyi, as seen in the reactivation of moribund sectors and other productive programmes/initiatives of the State government enabled the Institute to conduct a convocation after 11 years.
It is truly heart warming that between 2016 and 2018, IMT Enugu had enjoyed Ugwuanyi’s magnanimity which reflected in the commitment of over N1.1billion for the improvement and fortunes of the Institution. Thank you Gburu-Gburu for living up to your billing.
Bibian Anekwe News.. added..Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle. We appreciate Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s strength and speed
Written by
Gibson Uchenna Ilozuru
(Political Analyst)
Media Team Member,
Enugu Di N’akachukwu Movement.
