The Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman says his first term in office was a paradox of challenges, trials & successes.

Prof Usman stated this at a Press Conference in Lokoja to mark the end of his first tenure in office.

According to him, it took the grace of the Almighty God to take over the mantle of leadership of the polytechnic on the 12th February, 2021 at a moment when no functional Governing structure exists with a two- page working document from the then former Deputy Rector.

He recounted with nostalgic memories the confirmation of his appointment by the immediate past Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on the 12th of February, 2021 and renewed by Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo for the second term which he said he considered a huge privilege of trust reposed on him by the two great leaders of the State .

The journey was laid with series of challenges ranging from non accreditation of Courses in virtually all the departments to cult activities leading to insecurity, need for infrastructure to meet up to standard, lack of adequate and qualified staff in the institution among others .

Professor Salisu Usman Ogbo an astute technocrat looked beyond the series of challenges and hit the ground running by introducing the 3-Mission of ” Repair, Reform and Restore” which he stressed is being implemented through consultation and committee system.

On the security challenges, the Rector said said the security architecture was completely overhauled paving way for a modern and all encompassing security structure, with installation of CCTV camera all over the institution and immediate community with well trained personnel leading to aversion of 172 security threats between May 2020 and January 2025.

To tackle the issue of fake certificates of the institution, Prof. Ogbo Usman said ” New Statement of Result Template with Additional Security Features Against Falsification” was introduced which has put an end to the monster.

He stressed that the Polytechnic also introduced ” E- Examination/Result Computation/ E- Payment to boost confidence and integrity in the conduct of examination and results processing amongst other things put in place.

The School as at today according to the Rector which has been verified has One hundred percent Accreditation of 48 programmes and Institutional Accreditation and introduction of 14 programmes at ND and HND levels.

Recruitment of competent staff, staff welfare, implementation of cash backing promotion, physical structure and environmental maintenance both at the Lokoja and Itakpe Campuses were give quality and befitting and art of equipment standard.

Other initiatives within his first tenure also include: Tetfund intervention for research and foreign studies for staff, provision of transport services for staff both in Lokoja and Itakpe Campuses, periodic conduct of Student’s Government Election, 4th Combined Convocation Ceremony, Successful Organisation of the first inaugural lecture and signing of MoU with the National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA and courageous ejection of the Zango Market Operators and Land Grabbers frommthe front of Itakpe Campuse of the institution.

On how he has been able to summont these monsters of challenges, the Rector said he owe the successes to the Almighty God first and formost and to his two benefactors, immediate past Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and present Governor, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo for the trust reposed in him and thier unflinching support and to his workaholic management team, and the Governing board members of the great citadel of learning.

” We did not come to Kogi State Polytechnic because of the role of leadership bestowed on us; but because of the goals we set to achieve”