Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman (Fcia) majic touch at Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja.

An interview with Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, Fci , The Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja with Community Reporter, Comrade Enemali Okayi and Hon. Solomon Agada

A community reporter and Editor/ CEO , Confluence Trust Newspaper, Hon. Solomon Agada recently visited the rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman ( Fcia) on the developmental strides in the institution.

According to the rector of the institution, Dr. Salisu .O.Usman, who deeply appreciated His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for his continued support for the progress and development of the institution, noting that by his efforts and the TETFUND projects in the Polytechnic, alot has been achieved and for the completed projects so far in the institution, he said arrangements have been concluded for staff and students to move to the new facilities scattered all over the institution but that the recent massive floods in Lokoja have hindered the consultants and contractors from coming in as a result of total vehicular locked down on Abuja – Lokoja road, which have delayed their being handed over for proper utilization by the institution.

According to the rector, when the water level recede and the road is free for vehicular movement, all the facilities will be handed over to the polytechnic, the rector assured.
On the proactive measures so far taken to mitigate the effects of the floods on staff and students , the rector stated that, arrangements have been put in place for the school buses to convey staff and students from Ganaja junction fly-over by 7:30 a.m. on every working days to the polytechnic and back as at 4 p.m. from the school to the same point free of.charge , this will help them to reduce any hardships that may confront them as far as transportation is concerned.

On the question of what the rector wants to be remember for, Dr. Ogbo emphasised that, he is not in competition with anyone ,but only striving to be at his best for the staff, students, polytechnic community and the entire good people of Kogi State.
On the issues of results racketeering, the rector stated that, students alone can not manipulate results of the school, but that ,since he came on board , both staff and students involved in those unholy acts have been made to face the music and that as of now no trace of such habits are found in the polytechnic.

On the availability of hostel accommodation to students, the rector reiterated that, the management of the polytechnic has made it compusory for all HND 1 and ND 1 to reside in the campus as the school has adequate accommodation facilities to a large number of students who desire to stay on the campus.
He used the occasion to shower encomiums on the management of Zenith Bank Plc and Kogi State government for their collaborations to achive that feat and called on other sister organizations to invest in the school for the overall good of all.

On the technological drive of the polytechnic, Dr. Usman Ogbo posited that , one could recall that NBTE visited the polytechnic sometime ago and about 30 courses were presented for accreditation and all of them were approved by the board.

These courses are technically viable for the smooth running of the school and the nation which will ginger economic development of this country.
On the training of staff,
Dr. Ogbo appreciated the management of TETFUND project for the support and encouragement as some of the staff of the institution have been undergoing training within and outside the country for improved productivity and efficiency on the job and some persons who got approval but declined to further their studies were made to return the funds granted them for non-utilization.

More so, the polytechnic is also making it as a habit in ensuring old and new staff undergo training and retraining for better performance.

On the corperate social responsibiliies, he commended the management of Zenith Bank Plc and IHS for providing security patrol vehicles to the school and the provision of solar street lights all aimed at improving the security challenges in the school, an effort that has made it possible for the school to apprehend some criminals in the school in recent past.

He called on other philanthropic groups not to shy way from their social responsibilities. He called on them to contribute to the development of the school without further delay as the school is in need of rapid development most importantly in the area textile, agriculture and other areas as the school is endowed with experts to feed the country with what can be produced from the polytechnic.

The rector stated that graduate enterpreneurs in textile can be employers of labour.