By Joke Adeniyi-Jackson
It was an emotional moment for the American Rector of the International Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC), Ajase-Ipo, Kwara State, Dr. Wendy Kay Daeges during her last hours in Ilorin.
Daeges who departed Nigeria on Friday, 25th August, 2017 following her resignation as the administrative head of the school dropped a letter to that effect six months after she assumed office as the pioneer rector of the college.
Recall that the state government announced that Daeges resigned her appointment, last Thursday; exactly six weeks after the American actually quit her job.
A reliable source had told this medium that the announcement was delayed owing to a one-month notice given by the rector, who was consequently granted the privilege by the state government to work from her United States base within the period.
Daeges played host to National Pilot crew of the General Editor, Joke Adeniyi-Jackson, Head of Production, Tunde Rufai and Circulation Manager, Ahmed Ibrahim, shortly before her trip to Lagos to board a homeward flight.
The rector, who tried hard to fight back tears, expressed frustration over her hurried departure to the United States, which she hinged on the demise of her father and the need to take care of her aged mother.
“I have to leave because my mum needs me more now than ever. My bereaved mother is an emotional wreak; she is devastated right now as she is finding it difficult to cope with the loss of my father,” she explained.
The 64-year-old told this medium that one of her regrets is not being able to witness the take-off of the school, a project which she had invested so much in.
“It is a painful decision for me to make, having invested so much into the project. I had looked forward to receiving the students and taken delivery of additional equipment,” she said with teary eyes.
The vocational institution had earlier been scheduled to commence academic activities in September, before the abrupt resignation of Daeges.
The former executive director of a Vocational College in Saudi Arabia, said her passion was to make the dream of the state government a reality as regards the institution with her requisite experience.
Meanwhile, the rector, who heaped praises on National Pilot for its keen sense of professionalism added that she hold the newspaper in high esteem.
“To show that I hold you (National Pilot) in high esteem, you are the only people that I am seeing, aside the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development (Engr Musa Yeketi) who was here earlier.
“I have not gone half way through with packing my luggage but I have to suspend it because I feel obligated towards you.
” I have so much respect for your newspaper because of the keen sense of professionalism. I have a copy, which I am taking along with me and I promise to work with you even from Oregon,” she assured.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government is yet to announce a replacement or advertise the vacant office.
The state government had last week announced the appointment of one Sunday Bello as Registrar and Oladiran Ifeoluwa as new IT Systems Manager for the college.
It also disclosed the complete installation of equipment and training tools at IVTEC ahead of its formal commissioning.
