The leadership of all student union groups have passed a vote of confidence on the Acting Rector,Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr Salisu Usman Ogbo. At a press conference in Lokoja on Thursday, the student leaders appealed to Governor Yahaya Bello to confirm Dr. Salisu’s appointment as substantive rector of the Polytechnic. Speaking on behalf of the leaders of Students Union Government (SUG), National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) and all structures of student on campus, Comrade Ogwuche Teino stated that in the last one hundred days since Dr. Salisu took charge as Acting Rector he has proven to all that he is committed to making Kogi Polytechnic an institution of great repute.
“In the past 100 days that Dr Usman took charge as the Acting Rector of the institution, he has set a goal, shared the goal and the major thrust of the goal is to restore Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, to an institution of pride and national standard. “He has relentlessly and selflessly pursued that goal, and it has v manifested in so many ways that are hardly imaginable, given the dwindling nature of the resources in Kogi State Polytechnic particular and the State in general. “One way he has actualised that goal is in the area of security as reflected in the iconic decisions on the entire security apparatus – namely the introduction of the 12-hourly mode of operation to enhance efficiency, the building of the security house, partnership with other security agencies, blockage of or destruction of outlets that were capable of causing security problems, partnership with student union leadership to stamp out cultism and other social vices, etc. “Another way he has met that goal is in the upgrading of 3-bed clinic to a 30-bed medical center to serve the health needs of students, staff and the host community. “The accomplishment of his governance plan is also reflected in the beautification and protection of the environment through railing, painting of the fence, artistic work on the fence and at the main entrance, clearing of grasses and greening of the frontage of the perimeter fence along the highway. “He has also accomplished that goal through the setting up of the Directorate of Sports, Information Technology Resources Centre, SERVICOM, Advancement, Support and Linkages and a Legal Unit for the Polytechnic; “He was able to secure the fund in respect of the inherited and virtually staled Approval In Principle (AIP) for the 2016-2019 (merged) Annual TETFUND Interventions and has already flagged off multimillion naira projects in that regards after many years without such interventions is a great reflection of the accomplishment of that goal. He has demonstrated utmost sense of collectivity and transparency via the setting up of several committees which have helped in the taking of decisions and in the implementation of so many programmes is also symbolic of his determination to put the Polytechnic on the global map of academic excellence,” he said. The student leaders described Dr. Salisu’s policy banning indiscriminate production and sales of textbooks, among others, as “typical illustration of his zeal to return sanity and orderliness to the institution” They commended Governor Bello for making the right choice by appointing Dr Salisu O. Usman as the Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
“That in view of the historic efforts as encapsulated in the transformation going on in Kogi State Polytechnic, we unanimously pass a vote of confidence on Dr Salisu O. Usman and humbly request that His Excellency confirm his appointment as substantive rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, so that he will not only continue to implement the laudable programmes he has initiated but also contribute substantially in the implementation of the EBIGO Agenda.”