By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Prof. Salisu Usman Ogbo, says the institution has curbed criminality through a frontal campaign and remodeling of its security architecture.
Speaking at the Stewardship and Accountability Forum organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council, held at the Polytechnic Council Hall, Prof. Ogbo said the management had humbled cultism, cult-related activities, and other social vices. He noted that this led to the arrest and conviction of cultists, as well as the arrest of illicit drug barons.
He explained that within his first 100 days in office, a model security house was built to replace the three-room cubicle previously in use. He added that CCTV cameras and modern communication gadgets were also provided to strengthen surveillance and security operations.
On academic strides, the Rector highlighted the successful accreditation and re-accreditation of 47 programmes by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), including backlogs dating as far back as 2009.
He further listed the establishment and accreditation of the School of Agricultural Technology at Itakpe with four programmes: Agricultural Technology, Animal Health and Production Technology, Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Technology, and Horticulture and Landscape Technology.
Other achievements include the constitution of the Academic Board Central Results Verification Committee, which has ensured proper scrutiny of results, cost-effectiveness, and reduced time wastage at meetings.
Prof. Ogbo also noted the introduction of Computer-Based Tests (CBT) for General Studies and large-class examinations, which has curbed unethical practices and ensured prompt release of results.
He announced the provision of a new statement of result template with enhanced security features, the establishment of Mass Communication, Clothing and Textile Technology, and Printing Technology programmes at the ND level, and successful resource inspections for HND Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing Option), Building Technology, Architectural Technology, and Surveying and Geo-Informatics.
The Rector added that the Polytechnic followed up and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) for collaboration, smooth take-off, and eventual accreditation of the Department of Mechatronics Engineering Technology at the School of Engineering, Itakpe.
