My Career Success In COE, Agbor Attributed To Team Work, Cooperations From Staff
Mr. P C Nwachuku, was the man that signed and handed me my appointment letter into the services of College of Education, Agbor in 2008.
As at then, he was the Deputy Registrar (D/R) Personnel. He was a role model and a seasoned Administrator. We looked up to him. His dress sense was wow, very punctual, passionate, and diligent and dedicated to his job.
He retired recently from the services of the College as a Senior Deputy Registrar (SDR).
He spoke exclusively with our team from Ewere Okonta Blogs (EOB) on his life, career, family, and his post retirement plans.
Happy reading!
EOB: May we meet you, Sir?
P C Nwachuku: My name is Patrick Chukuka Nwachuku, I am from Umutu in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State. I retired recently from the services of the College of Education, Agbor as a Senior Deputy Registrar (SDR).
I was born into the family of Hon Chief and Chief Mrs. A O Nwachuku.
My parents are alive and kicking fine to the glory of God.
My father is a retired teacher, while my mom is a retired petty trader.
I’m from a polygamous home with many siblings and I happened to be the eldest.
EOB: How was your upbringing like?
P C Nwachuku: I had a wonderful upbringing in my maternal village called Obi-Obeti where my father was a headmaster. He was a strict disciplinarian as teachers were noted then. Life was good.
EOB: Which primary school did you attend?
P C Nwachuku: I attended St. Ambrose Catholic School (now Elite Primary School) Obi -Obeti from 1968 – 1973.
EOB: Which Secondary School did you attend?
P C Nwachuku: I attended St George’s College, Obinomba from 1973- 1978
EOB: What was your first career choice?
P C Nwachuku: My career choice was Law.
EOB: Do you have any regret of not being a Lawyer?
P C Nwachuku: No. I feel much fulfilled with my chosen career as a School Administrator.
EOB: Tell us about your Tertiary Education background
P C Nwachuku:
I did my Higher School Certificate (HSC) at Advanced College, Igueben. On completion, I taught briefly in a secondary school for two years before proceeding to University of Ibadan, Ibadan where I had a B.A (Hons) Degree in History.
During my working life in the College, I had a Masters degree in Industrial and Labour Relations (MILR), of Delta State University, Abraka.
EOB: Tell us about your NYSC experience
P C Nwachuku: I did my NYSC in Niger State from 1985-1986. My primary assignment was at Government College, Kantagora. I made a lot of friends during the service year. I’m still in touch with some of them till today. It was a wonderful experience.
EOB: Do you have any professional qualification?
P C Nwachuku: Yes. I am a member of Charted Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM).
EOB: Let’s talk about your career in the services of the College of Education, Agbor
P C Nwachuku: I had a glorious career in the College, good experience of dealing with human beings, making friends, mentoring people and being mentored, building bridges etc. My greatest sense of fulfillment was the 2019 accreditation exercise where the College presented eight programs for reaccreditation. When the result was released, the eight programs had full accreditation. Thanks to my amiable Provost, Dr Joseph Ukadike and the accreditation committee members.
I was employed into the services of the College in 1993 as Administrative Officer and deployed to the Admission office. I was later deployed to the Registrar’s office and to the Exams and Records section of the Academic office.
By 1996, I was the acting head of Personnel Unit as an Assistant Registrar (AR). Two years later, I was posted back to the Academic Office with additional responsibilities of overseeing the Governing Council Matters.
When the Governing Council Office was created in 2003, I was deployed to head the unit then a Principal Assistant Registrar.
By 2007, I was the head of Personnel Department as a Deputy Registrar.
From 2009 – 2010, I was on Sabbatical leave at Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba.
In 2010, on my resumption of duties from my Sabbatical leave, I was posted to the DELSU Degree Unit as the Secretary of the programme and in charge of the mini registry.
I was in that Unit until I retired, as a Senior Deputy Registrar (SDR)
My greatest joy during my service years was that I got my promotions as at when due and I worked as I had the strength to work which many had commended.
EOB: Please, share your Sabbatical leave experience with us
P C Nwachuku: As I told you earlier, I did my Sabbatical leave at Federal College of Education, (Technical) Asaba and I had a wonderful experience.
While there, I observed two things:
- Their Works Department was very efficient. Broken pieces of chairs and other items of the College were taken to the workshop for repairs. They carry out routine checks.
- Students certificates were scripted immediately results were approved by the Academic Board and sent to NCCE. The previous year, the College won an award from NCCE on this feat. I was given this schedule during my sabbatical leave. It was part of my report to the College on my resumption.
EOB: Tell us the various Seminars/Workshops/Conferences that you attended with dates
P C Nwachuku: Some of the Seminars, Workshops and Conferences I attended during my career in the College were:
- National Training Development Programme on “Effective Human Resources Management” Enugu, 1997
- Management Development Programme on “Critical Issues in Industrial Relations” Benin City, 1997
- “Planning for Retirement, Personal Income/Finance Management” Kaduna, 2008
- 7th Seminar of Conference of Registrars of Colleges of Education in Nigeria, South West Zone, Agbor, 2008
- Annual Conferences of the Charted Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, Abuja, 2008 and 2009
- TETFUND Sponsored Workshop on “The Registry in Tertiary Educational Institutes” Agbor, 2015
- Advanced Digital Appreciation Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI) Training. Agbor, 2015
- A three Day Sensitization Workshop on the 2012 Edition of NCE Minimum Standards. Agbor, 2015
- TETFUND Sponsored Conferences on Strategic Thinking and Organizational Effectiveness at Nigeria Institute of Management, Lagos, 2018.
EOB: Have you ever played an active role in Union activities?
P C Nwachuku: Yes. I served my union, the Senior Staff Association (SSA) now Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) in these capacities: Assistant Secretary and Secretary from 1994 to 1998.
EOB: What is your view on queries?
P C Nwachuku: Query is a disciplinary procedure issued to a staff on observed act of misconduct which requires his/her explanation. It is meant for correction for the purpose of achieving institutional objectives. No organization exists without rules and regulations. So the rules and regulations must be enforced.
EOB: As a seasoned Administrator, what is your view about the relationship between the teaching and non- teaching staff?
P C Nwachuku: They are all staff of the institution. They should be synergy between them for the purpose of achieving the goal of the institution. The non-teaching Staff should always conduct themselves with dignity to earn the respect of their colleagues.
They should respect their offices, dress decently, be polite and gentle at all times especially to the general public.
EOB: What is your view on motivation?
P C Nwachuku: Motivation is the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviours.
It could be monetary or non-monetary form.
Non-monetary form could be a simple thank you, recognition, administrative compliments etc. It should always be used by Heads of Departments.
EOB: What is your view on redeployment?
P C Nwachuku: It is a normal administrative procedure used for the purpose of achieving optimum utilization of the available human resources.
In some cases, a staff may be redeployed as a result of adverse report from his boss.
EOB: Tell us the various committees that you have served with dates
P C Nwachuku: The College operates a committee system of government.
It could be ad-hoc or statutory committees.
I have had the privilege of serving in many committees but permit to go into memory lane and mention but a few.
- Secretary, Academic Committee 1998 -2003
- Secretary, Senior Staff Association and Promotion Committee (SSA & PC) and Junior Staff Association and Promotion Committee (JSA & PC) 2007-2009
- Secretary, Degree Accreditations Committee 2012 – 2019
- Secretary, First Inaugural Lecture held in the College in 2008
- Secretary, First Eminent Lecture Series held in the College in 2017
EOB: How do you think we can improve the quality of the administrative officers in the College?
P C Nwachuku: The College is blessed with good talents. Their outputs could be maximized through training and re-training of the staff,
Target and goal setting, reintroduction of the monthly Registry Discourse, introduction of Registry Head of Units (RHoU) monthly meeting, promoting deserved staff as at when due which the institution is doing very well. As promotions come with added responsibilities, retreats should be organized for the ranks of PAR and its equivalents and above. It could be within or outside the town.
EOB: Tell us some of the challenges that you faced in the course of your career in the College
P C Nwachuku: The major challenge that I faced was
The extra efforts I had to put in in making my staff have passion for the job. It was a huge success and a legacy I have left behind.
EOB: Did you receive any Award during your career in the College?
P C Nwachuku: Yes. In the course of my career in the College, I have received the following awards:
- Award of Excellence by the Student Union Government of the Degree programme in 2013,
- Award of Excellence by the Student Union Government of the Degree Programme for Meritorious service in 2014 and 2016
- Letter of commendation for meritorious service by the Degree Programme Students Union Government in 2018.
I must add that I value and cherish these awards and had a good working relationship with the past and present SUG.
EOB: Tell us your best quote
P C Nwachuku: According to Shakespeare “Act well your part, there the honour lays” It has always been my motivating/ inspirational quote.
EOB: How is marriage life?
P C Nwachuku: Very blissful and blessed. I am happily married to Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Nwachuku. She is a lecturer in the Physics Department of the College of Education, Agbor.
The marriage is blessed with three wonderful children.
EOB: How do you plan to enjoy your retirement?
P C Nwachuku: Employment life is in three phases. Entry phase, employment phase and retirement phase.
I’m now at the retirement phase. I’m presently on a well deserved rest, thereafter, I will go into small business that will keep me busy.
EOB: Do you want to appreciate anyone?
P C Nwachuku: Yes, a lot. My appreciation goes to all the past and present Provosts of College of Education, Agbor for given me the enabling environment to function.
All the past and present Registrars are also not left out for the mentoring I received from them while growing up as an Administrative Officer.
In the same vein, I appreciate my past Directors of the Degree Unit most especially Dr. Mrs. F. C. Omumu for celebrating me at my point of retirement, and to all my staff at the Degree Unit. Thanks for your cooperation. My little achievements could not have been possible without you. My family and I so cherish you’re parting gift to me. And you Ewere Okonta, thank you.
