Ogbo’s first tenure saw rehabilitation of Kogi Poly, focusing on discipline and academic excellence
Yahaya Idris, Lokoja
Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, has revealed that upon assuming office, he inherited an institution plagued by significant challenges, including a lack of necessary infrastructure, disorganization among students and staff, and prevalent cultism.
Notwithstanding these challenges, Prof. Usman has been working to improve both the infrastructure and administrative aspects of the polytechnic since his appointment in 2020.
Prof Ogbo made the revelation on Tuesday at a press conference marking the end of his first tenure in the service of the State and the Polytechnic.
According to the Rector, when he assumed office, the institution was confronted with several issues, including the absence of functional student hostels, a deficiency in ICT infrastructure, a disorganized student body fragmented along ethnic lines, and an unkempt physical environment with crumbling infrastructure and as well rampant cultism activities
He also noted with disdain that some members of the polytechnic community displayed poor research culture, general indiscipline, and impunity.
To address the institution’s evident shortcomings and reclaim its former excellence, Prof Ogbo introduced the 3R-MISSION of Repair, Reform and Restore.
He also recalled that prior to his administration taking office, cultists had been operating with impunity on campus and in the surrounding neighborhood.
He noted that the Polytechnic’s reputation had been compromised and its relationships with vital funding agencies had been severed due to failed contracts and abandoned projects that had spanned more than 10 years.
“ I vividly remember that there was a place on kogi Polytechnic campus called Pipe Line. It used to be a known place for hideout for cultists, but we ensure that we clamped down on the cultists and make sure the place never exist again.” he further disclosed.
Prof Ogbo the situation became so bad that individuals were going to nearby cybercafés to print fake statements of result. While some bad eggs in the system were running National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programs concurrently, described it as the height of criminality in an educational system.
The Polytechnic under his administration courageously banned the sale of handouts and textbooks on the campus, as some lecturers were forcing students to buy their materials as a prerequisite to passing examinations.
“ We have been able to sanitize the system by eradicating these nefarious and retrogressive practice on the campus.”
The Ogbo administration’s management took proactive steps to address insecurity by establishing a modern G’Alh. Yahaya Bello Security House, installing CCTV systems, providing communication equipment, patrol vehicles, and solar-powered lights, as well as clearing bushes on campuses.
