By Abdulhameed Ivavah
Under the leadership of Prof. Usman Ogbo, Kogi State Polytechnic has become an emblem of academic integrity and excellence. The Rector has established an enabling environment for learning, making it clear that failure to engage seriously in studies will lead to consequences, including rustication. There is no tolerance for impunity, malpractice, or any forms of academic dishonesty.
Recently, Kogi Polytechnic withdrew 273 students due to poor academic performance and expelled 6 students for examination malpractice. These measures not only serve to uphold the institution’s standards but also work towards redeeming its reputation, which had suffered from past allegations of “miracle centers” where results were manipulated. Such practices tarnished the image of the institution before Prof. Ogbo took office.
Since stepping into his role as Rector, Prof. Ogbo has implemented numerous initiatives to position the polytechnic on a competitive global scale. Key developments including the construction of a modern health center, state of the art lecture halls, and enhanced ICT resources to support e-learning, accreditation and establishment of new courses. The school library has been renovated and upgraded to facilitate research and study, while the road network within the campus has been improved, with ongoing work aimed at further enhancing all round infrastructure.
Staff welfare has also been prioritized, with overdue promotions and significant salary increases for many faculty members. Student welfare has seen considerable improvement, with new hostels featuring modern amenities, renovations of old hostels, enhanced security measures, a new mosque, and strengthened student union operations to benefit of students.
These strides are all designed to create an optimal environment for students to learn. Consequently, any student who fails to take advantage of these opportunities and finds themselves performing poorly or engaging in malpractice deserves the disciplinary actions taken against them, therefore the uproar and controversial comments on social media are not necessarily, what is expected of all well meaning citizens is to praise the quality leadership of Prof. Usman Ogbo.
Importantly, more than 95% of the students has embraced the opportunities provided, including the stoppage of the compulsory purchase of handouts imposed for exploitation, the library provides considerable prices for handout and the student takes advantage and they are performing well academically.
It is only the small minority of unserious students who resort to misconduct that have faced rustication, reflecting the institution’s commitment to maintaining a high standard of education, any one who dares to contravenes such effort should face due consequences.
I would like to express my appreciation for Prof. Usman Ogbo and his impactful leadership, which has since began during the era of His Excellency, former Governor Yahaya Bello, and aligns with the ongoing consolidation efforts of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
As a former student of Kogi Polytechnic who has transitioned into a staff role, I understand the remarkable leadership of Prof Ogbo and I can boldly said he is one of the lieutenants of Gov Ahmed Usman Ododo making better image of his administration.
– Bello Onimisi Abdulhameed (Ivavah)
Technologist, Kogi State Polytechnic.
