The Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, on Friday led the Management team of the institution to a courtesy visit to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRM Dr Ahmed Tijani-Anaje.
Speaking at the Ohinoyi’s Palace in Okene, the Rector, said the visit was to officially congratulate the paramount ruler on his ascension on the throne, intimate him of his reappointment, and to seek his prayer, support and fatherly advice.
The rector added that the visit was also to appeal to the Royal father to intervene in the encroachment of the school land in its satellite campus in Itakpe in Adavi Local Government Area.
The Rector noted that the institution had invested over N7 billion in its Itakpe satellite campus, adding that it was older than the Polytechnic itself as it was inherited from the then Kwara State.
“We have what we call chronic encroachment on our campus land in Itakpe, including serious security challenges, and vandalization of our valuables on daily basis.
“Among the land grabbers are very prominent personalities who have even been threatening us. But all we want is to thread the path of peace; we want those who have built on our land to vacate.
“Some of them have reported the issue to the Ministry of Land, and the Polytechnic management brought out the site plan of the school as inherited from Kwara.
“But none of the encroachers has been able to bring forth their own documents for verification uptill this moment to counter the clam of the Polytechnic.
“We don’t want us to have crisis that can discourage further developments in our campus.
“All we want is to navigate a course that promotes harmony, understanding, and serenity to allow development to strive in the Polytechnic to the benefits of our people and the state at large,’ he said
The Rector stressed that the Itakpe campus which comprised the School of Engineering as well as the newly introduced Agricultural Technology remains the heart of the Polytechnic.
He, therefore solicited the intervention of Ohinoyi to help appealed to the affected individuals to thread the path of peace and vacate the encroached portions of the land.
The Rector further commended His Excellency, Gov. Ahmed Ododo for approving the perimeter fencing of the Polytechnic campus in Itakpe.
The Rector also urged the royal father, to on his behalf, expressed his utmost gratitude to the governor for his reappointment for the second term effective from February 12, 2025.
He also eulogised the former Gov. Yahaya Bello for considering him worthy of appointment in the first instance.
The rector promised not to fail the royal father, the former and the incumbent governors, the people of the state and the nation at large
In his response, the Ohinoyi appreciated the Rector and his management team for the visit, and assured them of his full support, prayers and cooperation for the benefits of the state.
The royal father emphasised that “as traditional rulers, their roles is to promote peace and protect the interest of their people in a just and fair manner”.
He urged the Polytechnic to assist by providing the Palace with relevant documents that would guide the traditional council in addressing the encroachment issue.
“Our request is that you avail the Palace with the names of those that have allegedly encroached into the Polytechnic land so that we can know who to invite for questioning.
“We will invite those that has been accused of encroaching into the land in Itakpe. We will here from them and see how it can be resolved without any crisis.
“The palace will be transparent in handling this matter before jumping into conclusions.
“If they are guilty, the Palace will order them to move away from the land. My reign remain committed in promoting peace and development in Ebira land and the state at large.,” the monarch stated.
The royal father commended the Rector for his tremendous achievements in the institution since his assumption of office, saying, “I can now see why the Governor renewed your appointment.
“I am aware of your total support for both the previous and the current administrations. From all you have said today, I am now convinced that you deserve more.
“You are not doing this to help the students alone but you are helping the entire nation. This Children will become Governors, Senators and many more; you are building a better nation for tomorrow,” the Ohinoyi said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Rector and his team made a stop-over at the Polytechnic campus in Itakpe, to inspect the ongoing perimeter fencing at the school.
In his vote of thanks, the Polytechnic Bursar, Mr Obadaki Adeika Obaro, thanked the monarch for the warm reception and for assuring the rector of his full support.
Obaro promised that the management of the institution under the leadership of Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, would not disappoint the monarch but would continue to do their best to transform the institution to globa standards.