The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Professor Salihu Sanusi Avidime, has urged Nigerians to renew their commitment to peace, unity, and collective nation-building as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.
In a press statement released on Thursday in Lokoja to mark the 1st October national celebration, the Rector felicitated citizens both at home and in the diaspora, describing the milestone as a moment for deep reflection on the nation’s historical journey and a time to celebrate its enduring resilience.
Prof. Avidime commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s focus on education, human capital development, and youth empowerment. He noted that ongoing federal initiatives aimed at expanding educational access, supporting students, and deepening vocational skills development demonstrate a clear national recognition that investing in the youth remains the most viable path to securing Nigeria’s future.
At the state level, the polytechnic chief praised the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his deliberate interventions in the tertiary education sector. He specifically highlighted the recent flag-off and disbursement of ₦646.8 million in bursary allowances to 20,347 Kogi students, including specialized financial assistance for medical students across higher institutions.
The Rector further acknowledged state-backed initiatives designed to broaden horizons for Kogi youths, including international training partnerships through the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute (NKFI), scholarship pipelines to South Korea, and the Governor Ododo All Kogi Campus Games geared toward talent discovery. According to him, these programs, alongside ongoing state skill-acquisition initiatives, reflect a strategic commitment to fostering self-reliance among young people.
Emphasizing the core mandate of Kogi State Polytechnic, Prof. Avidime reaffirmed the institution’s determination to advance technical and vocational education. He assured that the polytechnic will remain focused on equipping students with practical knowledge, entrepreneurial capabilities, and strong character to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the national economy.
Calling on the populace to maintain faith in the country’s prospects despite contemporary challenges, the Rector stressed that nation-building remains a shared responsibility between the leadership and the citizenry. While tasking governments at all levels to provide purposeful governance and an enabling environment, he urged citizens to uphold the law, protect public infrastructure, and actively collaborate in building a peaceful, just, and prosperous nation.
