We inherited an institution without a functional Student Hostel Accommodation, Deficient In ICT- Kogi Poly Rector
By Abubakar Suleman
The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Prof. Salisu Usman Ogbo, says his administration inherited an institution without a functional student hostel, deficient in ICT, polarised along ethnic line, notorious for untidy physical environment with dilapidated infrastructures , poor research cultures,general indiscipline and impunity among some members of the Polythecnic community.
Prof. Ogbo who highlighted this during the press conference on Tuesday marking the end of his first tenure in office, said to fill the glaring gaps and restore the lost glory of the institution, his leadership as Rector introduced the 3R- MISSION of Repair, Reform and Restore.
He further disclosed that before his administration came on board, cultists operated with impunity on campus and in the surrounding neighborhood.
In his words, The Polythecnic also has dented image and served relationship with relevant funding agencies due to failed contract and abandoned spanning to over 10 years.
We inherited an institution where cultists reigned as demi-gods and operating with impunity on the campus and the neighbourhood, which was threatening the peace in the institution which was disturbing the image issues bordering on negative press.
“ I vividly remembered that there was a place in kogi Polythecnic campus called Pipe Line. It used to be a known place for hideout for cultists, but we ensure that we clamped down on the cultists and make sure the place never exist again.
We also had a case of some individuals going to nearby cybercafés to print fake statements of result. We also discovered some bad eggs in the system running National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programs concurrently. This is the height of criminality in our educational system.”
Proff. Ogbo further stated that his administration banned the sale of handouts and textbooks on campus, adding that some lecturers were forcing students to buy their materials as a prerequisite to passing examinations, he advised that the lecturers should take thier books to bookshops outside the campus for sale.
“When you make the purchase of textbooks a precondition for students to pass examinations, it discourages them from reading. This can lead to insecurity and tribal conflicts in the school. We have been able to sanitize the system by eradicating this practice on campus.”
Proff. Ogbo further said the management set machineries in motion for tackling the insecurity through the following measures by building a befitting G’Alh. Yahaya Bello Security House, installation of CCTV, provision of communication gadgets, provision of patrol vehicles illumination through provision of solar lights, clearing of bushes on campuses, dislodgement of notorious pipeline hideout.
