Rector Declared End of the year Party for all staff, Honoured 2025 Retirees and gifted us 1/2 bag of rice each

Our amiable Rector, Engr, Dr.Barr. C. K. Okoro declared an end of the year party for all staff of the Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Invited all the Retirees in 2025 and also declared that all staff will be gifted at least half bag of rice each. It was something I never thought or imagined would happen.

When the notice was sent to the information room in our WhatsApp group, I didn't take it seriously. The notice is here below. According to the memo, it was going to be held on the 17th of December 2025 which was this past Wednesday. I didn't want to go but on a second thought, I decided to be there just to see how it will go.

	the part memory gotten from our group
	on my way

The prayer session began at exactly 10 am and closed by 12 noon. Then the Rector who was already seated before the prayer session ended took over the microphone and began to address us. You will hear some of his address in the video that I have uploaded. He told us to relax, that today we will all merry. That there is enough food and drink, there will be enough dances, then the retirees will be honoured and awarded for their meritorious services to the institution, then dances and then he declared that every staff will get that gift of half bag of rice. You can imagine the joy that filled the air. We chanted a song in his honour and danced around.

I thought maybe that is a political statement, I never knew he meant every word he said there. Apart from himself, the Registrar and the deputy Rectors, every other person sat together and danced together. We also dined together from the same buffet.

As soon as the Priests left us, the Retirees were invited to a special seat by the side of the auditorium. Next, they were individually invited and cash gifts were presented to them as well as an appreciation letter white Rector read to the hearing of everyone. They were also given mufflers on which the name of the Polytechnic was inscribed.

After the presentation, a cake was presented for cutting by these Retirees accompanied by the Rector. They were invited to the stage where they cut the cake. After that, there was music and dancing. I was moved to get up and danced my way to the stage where others where also dancing. Though the video is dark somehow but I will still share it for you all to see my dancing steps. Some clips anyways but you can't afford to miss them. Even the Rector was moved to join us in the dance along with other dignitaries.

	cutting of cake
	while the Rector was making the declaration

After the dances, the Rector announced that we can all go to the buffet and take the food that we love, we can eat as much as we want and drink as much as we want but that no one should take anyone home so that a few will not end up packing the whole foods. He even told the security to be on the watch. He said that we can only go out with water.

We queued up and I Made my choice of Garri and vegetable soup. Do you know that it was even a Deputy Rector that dished my food for me? They were down to the earth on that day when it comes to relating with us. I was even asking myself if I was dreaming. This particular Deputy Rector thought me when I was still schooling in the same institution years back.

Drinks went round both soft, wine beer and much more. Meat was assorted and in large quantity. I really had fun that day dear friends. Everyone ate enough and also drank to their fill.

After the eating, the Rector restated that we can go and pick our rice as promised. WOW! Government work is sweet oo! Do you even know that we were paid 13th month which is a bonus pay for the year? I can be less thankful.

When it was time for the rice distribution, we all went for it but it didn't get to my turn that day. We went again the next day being yesterday and I was able to get mine. The distribution was by staff name from the Personnel Department and alphabetically. Mine is N and so it got to me. I had to write to my Rector. I wrote an appreciation message to him which he acknowledged as you can see in the screenshot below. This is indeed the beginning of a new era for me. I know it's not been easy for me due to relocation and change of school for my kids and school fees. Things will surely normalize soon. I can't wait

	while waiting at the theatre hall for the rice
	while the names are being called
	after I got my rive

The Rector officially announced our closure for the year on that Wednesday and as such, we are not on break till 6th of January 2026. I bided farewell to my colleagues. Till then!

	my appreciation message to the Rector

IPFS Video