Kogi Polytechnic shadow of itself when I took over in 2021 – Prof. Ogbo 

The Rector,  Kogi state Polytechnic Lokoja , Professor  Salisu Ogbo,  has said that the institution was a shadow of itself in terms of academic and infrastructural development before he took over the leadership of the Polytechnic in 2021.

He commended the former Governor of the state Yahaya Bello and the incumbent Governor Usman Ododo  for investing heavily  in the Polytechnic that today made the institution a citadel of learning.

Professor  Ogbo Usman  stated this on Monday at the main campus of the institution in Lokoja during a press briefing marking the end of his first tenure in office and the beginning of his second tenure as the Rector of the Polytechnic.

The Rector who also stated that  cultists and other related social vices  reigned supreme and operated with impunity on campus as well as  the surrounding neighborhood of the Polytechnic, noted that the institution was  divided along ethnic and religion line.

“We inherited an institution where cultists reined supreme as demi-gods and operating with impunity on the campus and the neighborhood. This and many other threatening social vices made the Polytechnic to be battling with deeply disturbing image issues bordering on negative press. 

“We also inherited an institution without a functional student hostel, deficient in ICT, polarized along ethnic line, notorious for untidy physical environment with dilapidated infrastructures, poor research cultures, general indiscipline and impunity amongst some members of the polytechnic community. 

“The Polytechnic also had dented image and severed relationship with relevant funding agencies due to failed contract and abandoned projects spanning over ten  years. 

“The Polytechnic also had outstanding problems of accreditation across virtually all programmes spanning nine years as well as accumulated problem of convocation after several sessions of turning out students at both the National Diploma and Higher National Diploma levels. 

“There were also issues of proposed new programmes that needed to be introduced as outlined in the maiden 2013 to  2018 strategic plan of the institution which was not implemented” he said. 

He stated that,  to restored the lost glory of the Polytechnic, the new management team led by him introduced the 3R-Mission of “Repair, Reform and Restore” which was  implemented within four years that pave ways for a lot of achievements recorded for the institution today.

Speaking on the security situation in  the Polytechnic, the Rector mentioned that the management of the institution have successfully averted one hundred and seven (107) security threats through an intelligent security network in the Polytechnic.

“There was a place on this campus called pipe line. It was usually a hub where cultism thrived. We have also banned end of semester celebrations which was smokescreen for cult groups. We also installed CCTV camera on the campus , empowered internal security guard  with communication gadgets and patrol vehicles for surveillance among others.

“These efforts have yielded tremendous results, including the arrest of some students and non students with guns and other dangerous weapons and illicit drugs while making attempts to enter the campus. 

“The security efforts and strategies also helped us to discover the notorious syndicate known as “Magic Centre” at Sarkin Norma where students and non-students were nabbed while writing examination with our questions papers and booklets. 

“In all, a total of 107 security threats were averted through the security network with necessary action taken between May 2020 to January, 2025” the Rector said.