By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The President and Chairman-in-Council of the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON), Clement Koko, has called for the establishment of the Office of the Printer General of the Federation to enhance the status and efficiency of the printing profession in Nigeria.
Koko made this appeal on Wednesday during an assessment visit to the newly established Department of Printing Technology at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja. Accompanied by his team, the visit aimed to facilitate the department’s accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Advocating for a more prominent role for the printing profession in governance, Koko emphasized the importance of creating an Office of the Printer General and a Printing Commission. He compared this to similar roles in other professions, such as the Accountant General and Auditor General, which have long been recognized in government structures.
“Printing, the mother of all professions, has been relegated to the background,” Koko said. “It has evolved beyond paperwork and now serves as a key driver of wealth creation. Its importance in documentation and office operations cannot be overstated.”
He further lauded the new Printing Technology Department at Kogi Polytechnic, describing it as a self-sustaining initiative with significant income-generating potential. Koko urged the institution’s management to nurture the department and encouraged students and staff to work towards becoming Chartered Printers to fully integrate into the professional system.
Institution’s Commitment
During the visit, the Deputy Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr. Samuel Olowo, assured the team of the institution’s commitment to achieving full accreditation for the program.
“Kogi Polytechnic is excited about the establishment of the Department of Printing Technology,” Olowo said. “We are collaborating with the State Government to ensure NBTE grants full accreditation for the program. The department is a significant milestone, being the only Printing Technology department in any tertiary institution across the North-Central zone.”
Dr. Olowo acknowledged the support of Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, who provided the Government Printing Press for the institution’s use, and commended Rector Professor Usman Ogbo for his leadership in establishing the department.
He thanked the Chartered Institute of Printers for its partnership and support in advancing the accreditation process and pledged the institution’s dedication to the growth and success of the program.
