A Conversation With My Rector, Prof Biri

Necessity placed on me the task to roll out in the drums in advance as the world celebrate a leading leader, eminent professor, seasoned scholar, administrator par excellence, an orator, innovative, creative and industrious Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Prof Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri whose birthday anniversary is coming up on Friday 23rd August, 2024.

Prof Biri is man you will encounter and your life will experience a positive touch. March 2022, the icon of global visibility assumed duty as the 5th substantive Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara. Two weeks into his administration a memo from his office arrived on my desk. The Rector has been invited to a training session in Abuja and he minuted on a copy of the letter that was sent to him. “PRO, you are attending this training with me” the minutes reads. The date of the training came we arrived the FCT safely. Vice-Chancelors from the Universities, Rectors and Registrars from different Polytechnics were in attendance at the training. In age, rank, qualifications, I was the least person in that training session. What a privilege given to me by my Rector.

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At the end of our training session in one of the days, I retired to one of the Parks in Area 3, Abuja to unwind with roasted plantain (bole) and barbecue fish. My phone rang and on the display screen, Prof Biri calling….
Me: My Rector, Migwo Prof
Caller: Vrendo
Caller: Able PRO. Clintonia, hope you are enjoying the training?
Me: Yes sir. It was a rare honor sir
Caller: Where are you?
Me: Prof sir, am at one of the parks unwinding
Caller: You know Transcop Hilton?
Me: Yes sir
Caller: ok, fine your way here
Me. Thank you Prof. Migwo Prof.

Opened my phone and straight to Bolt App.. booked Bolt asap and sharpaly. The cab arrived and Transcop here I come. I arrived at my destination and joined my Rector.
Prof: So, how are you enjoying Abuja?
Me: Fine sir, just that cost of living here is after the living.
While the conversation was on, I placed order for meal and drinks and while waiting for my order to be delivered Prof asked:
Have you embarked on any international training before?
Me and my thoughts: international training for
small boy like me? The civil service we know and work, international training is meant for principalities and powers, rulers in higher places. Not for small boys.
I responded in the negative, No sir.
Prof: what’s happening, why is it that so a large number of staff in the Polytechnic have not gone on foreign training?
Prof: is ok, look for any 5-6 fight hour country fo training and apply.
Me: Am I dreaming? I just need to wake up.
Prof continued: Nigeria to London is about 6hrs so you can take it from there.

This open cheque was a dream come through. As a regular flyer accustomed to domestic routes since 2010. Taking off and descending into Lagos International Airport, it is a dream to fly those big body airplanes that adorn the tamac of the international wing. It has been a long dream and Prof Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri is making it possible.

Retired to my hotel room and the discussion at Transcop kept resonating. In spite of the offer coming from the Chief Executive, my faith couldn’t carry it. I opened the internet to search for the cost of training and accomodation in the UK. Checked the cost of flight ticket on Ethiopian Airways. Checked the rate of the pounds sterling to the naira. I swear, my faith failed me the more and so, due to the financial implications, I deliberately refused to apply.

Four, five, six months passed and one day my Rector requested for my presence at his office.
Prof: PRO, I asked you to apply for international training and I am yet to receive your application. You don’t want to go?
Me: Prof, I am still on it sir.
Prof: is ok. You may leave
Me: Thank you sir.

Went back to my office and brought out the application I have. I whooping 8-digit figure staring at my face. I swear, I couldn’t discerned the voice I was hearing. Is it the holy spirit or demon speaking faithlessness into me? Days later, I went back to see my Rector.
Me: Prof sir, I know one day you will take me to UK, USA, and Canada, but I would love to visit Rwanda for a start. I have heard so many beautiful stories how the people were able to overcome the genocide and push for national integration and development.
Prof: well, since you prefer going to Rwanda, you can use the opportunity to visit Kenya, Namibia or the Gambia. You can use the opportunity to travel three countries. I have friends there and I will give you their contacts.

Beloved, Prof Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri put me in my first ever international journey. Like a father, he was monitoring and following up with my arrivals and departures.
My Rector, My burden bearer, My yoke breaker.
Silver, gold, diamond I have NOT. I will always pray God to give you more life, strong health and bigger opportunities. As God dey bless and elevate, you dey carry your boys along.

Happy birthday to my Rector in advance.

Clinton Onoriode Sagboje