By noah ocheni, lokoja
The rector of the kogi state polytechnic, prof. Salisu usman ogbo has attributed his achievement in eradicating cultism in the institution to the upgrade of educational standard and enhanced security architecture.
Prof. Usman disclosed this while interacting with members of the correspondent chapel of the nigeria union of journalists paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
He pointed out that before he assumed office on acting capacity in 2022, kogi state polytechnic was the headquarters of cultism activities amongst higher institutions in the state adding
That a senior lecturer of the polytechnic was stabbed to death by cultists.
The rector pointed out he had to employ some strategies, step on toes, courage and boldness to force the activities of cultism on their knees in the institution.
Prof. Usman disclosed that he banned the sales of text books to students to enhance commitment and seriousness in their academic pursuits.
“Before the ban, once a student can purchase a textbook and of a lecturer, that student can never fail the course. This greatly contributed to the poor academic performance of our students but the ban has improved their performance as a result of their commitment in their studies.”
He stressed that the enhanced security architecture of the institution has greatly eradicated the activities of bad boys who troops into the main campus both day and night to perpetrate their unholy activities at will.
As the head of the institution, prof. Ogbo noted that he has to embrace the responsibility of the protection of lives and property in the polytechnic to provide conducive environment for learning.
The rector disclosed that his achievements in the area of accreditation of courses, infrastructural development in the institution could be attributed to cooperation of the council, his fear of a stigma and his promise not to disappoint his supporters.
He therefore thanked the former governor of the state, alhaji yahaya bello for the confidence repose in him for the appointment and the renewal of his appointment for the second term by governor ahmed usman ododo.
Earlier, the chairman of the correspondent chapel of the nuj, comrade shegun salami commended prof. Salisu usman for the achievements recorded within this short period of his assumption of office.
Comrade salami who assured the rector of the readiness of members of the chapel to propagate his activities enjoined him to sustain the press friendly relationship with the correspondent chapel so as to achieve standard academic performance in the institution.
