Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, has admonished students of the institution to shun examination malpractices and other vices.
He gave the admonition at the 31st matriculation ceremony of the polytechnic held in Lokoja on Tuesday.
4,349 students were matriculated into the National Diploma (ND) Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja for the 2024/2025 academic session.
According to the Rector, 3124 have been admitted into the ND and another 1225 students admitted into the HND programs spread across Schools and Departments of the Polytechnic.
The students were admitted into Departments in the Schools of Agricultural Technology, Applied Sciences, Art Design and Printing, Engineering, Environmental Technology and Management Studies.
Dr. Salisu described the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja as a student-centered Institution in all ramification, with a salient mission to build an environment that is conducive to group and independent learning experiences.
“We are desirous of training students that will represent the pride and good image of the institution. We are confident that you will play significant role in attaining that goal.
“We will continue to work towards making the Polytechnic environment more user friendly and ensure your personal growth and development. We shall also continue to ensure that our graduates are responsible citizens who will contribute to the development of our dear Kogi State and Nigeria at large,” he said.
The Rector reiterated that the ban on all tribal associations on campus is still in force until further notice, pointing out that it is in the interest of collectivity and harmonious coexistence on the campus.
The Polytechnic, Dr Salisu stressed, has zero tolerance for all forms of social vices such as cultism, gun-running, examination malpractice, drug abuse.
He added that alcoholic addiction, unhealthy social gatherings, cybercrimes, incitement to violence, gangsterism, misuse and destruction of public property, stealing, indecent dressing, among others would not be condone, warned the students to stay away from vices to avoid running afoul of the law.
“Let me particularly emphasize on cultism, which is completely forbidden on our campus. You are therefore warned to desist from any form of luring cultist related activities. It may interest you to know that, we have specifically put in place all visible and invisible security architectures in strategic places to deal with cultists, their sympathizers and sponsors. You are therefore advised to stay free of all cult-related lifestyles. You are also advised to report any move intended to intimidate and lure you into or enlist you into cultism.
“Any breach will attract appropriate penalty, including outright expulsion and prosecution. The Students’ Information Handbook that will be distributed to you through your respective departments will guide you on the dos and don’ts of the Polytechnic. Ignorance of the law has no place in the Polytechnic and will not be condoned”.
The Rector encouraged students to be of sterling examples of what moral discipline is, advised them to dress modestly and in accordance with the acceptable standards.
“Undue exposure of body parts is considered provocative to the sensibilities of others, and will be severely dealt with. You can always access further information on how to dress on this campus on our posters, bill boards and hand bills”.
