Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, the new Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, was born into a polygamous family on 26th October, 1972 at Angwa-Ogebe, a conservative Islamic and culturally disciplined setting in Ankpa Township, Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The name ‘Ogbo’ as he is popularly known, connotes Imam in Igala language, and was given to him to invoke the memory of his great maternal grandfather, the late Imam Yahaya of Angwa-Ede, also in Ankpa Local Government Area.
The name became popular because his forebear, Imam Yahaya was a symbol of greatness, and the extended family members saw in the young Salisu, a reincarnation of the great Imam.
The Humble Beginning
His father, Alhaji Usman Adejoh Bala, a subsistent farmer/businessman is a descendant of the Imam Ruling House in Angwa-Ogebe. His mother, Hajiya Rabi, a petty trader, is one of the granddaughters of Imam Yahaya of Angwa-Ede.
The young Salisu, is the first born of his mother and the fourth in the entire Usman family. His father was an only (surviving) child who barely knew his parents before they died. During his early years in business, he served as sales boy selling dishes and locus beans seeds for a local business merchant in Ankpa market.
As an only child with no parents in a renowned extended family, Alhaji Usman decided to take the path of polygamy, marrying three wives who subsequently bore him many children. His thinking was that the children would become the brothers and sisters he never had. The young Ogbo started his quest for Islamic education as a Makaranta Alo pupil under the tutelage of disciplined Islamic scholars in Ankpa and environs.
He completed the education after training sojourns in Anyigba, Egume (in Dekina Local Government Area) and Oji-Akpala in Enjema District (Ankpa LGA). He finally completed the Quranic education at Oji-Akpala. After completing Makranta alo training, his urge and insatiable quest for western education began to soar.
This was prompted by his disdain for the early morning dews which settled on the grasses along the footpath to the farm.
As was the practice then, the elderly ones used to put the younger ones in front to clear the water droplets, and this in addition to the nauseating disturbances of the small flies (called fifini in Igala) was a put off for the young Ogbo.
The Quest for Western Education
With the combined vision, firmness and assured financial support of his mother Hajiya Rabi Usman and grandmother, Hajiya Asmau Imam (Magajiya Angwa-Ede) of the blessed memory, the young Salisu Ogbo was enrolled in Primary 3, at the Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) Primary School, Ankpa in 1986.
Within a month of joining the class, Mrs. Atawodi, his class teacher discovered his exceptional intelligence and leadership qualities and promptly appointed him as the ‘Class Monitor’. The young Salisu became a source of pride to Mrs. Atawodi who always gave feedback on his superlative performances to the mother in Ankpa market.
After completing Primary 4 in 1987, Salisu was encouraged to skip primary 5; and this necessitated his transfer to the LGEA Primary School in Ankpa, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1988.
He proceeded to St Charles College, Ankpa for his secondary education in 1989, but later switched over to the Young Muslim Congress Secondary School (YMCSS) Ankpa, where he obtained his West Africa Senior School Certificate in 1995.
His quest for tertiary education began at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Osara Campus where he obtained his Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination (IJMBE), Advanced Level Result in 1996. Ogbo was a member of the pioneer set of the programme.
It was at Osara Campus that the he began to make more friends beyond his immediate enclaves, having proven his versatility in all engagements to the admiration of many.
From then on, it was very clear that Ogbo’s path to personal, socio-political and cognitive fulfillment was to be majorly carved out for him through the rigour of western education. With the Advanced Level result, he enrolled for his Bachelor Degree at the Bayero University, Kano, in 1997.
The choice of the course of study for the young Ogbo Usman was made by his great mentor, a political tactician and celebrated grassroots politician, Alhaji Ibrahim ‘Linco’ Ocheje of blessed memory.
Alhaji Linco’s advice was anchored on the innate grassroots mobilization skills and leadership dexterity which he observed in the young Salisu Ogbo. In fact, it was from Alhaji Ibrahim Linco that Ogbo heard the name “Political Science” as a discipline and course of study for the first time.
With sheer determination and avowed commitment in the wake of many hurdles, Ogbo obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Political Science in 2001. With that feat, he became the first among his siblings to take western education to a level hitherto undreamt of.
It was this, among his many ‘acts of rebellion’ aimed at challenging the old order which created exemplary path for some of his younger siblings who have now acquired university degrees or are in the process of acquiring same.
Three years after obtaining his Bachelor degree (2004 to be precise), Ogbo proceeded to the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, where he obtained his Master of Science (M.Sc) in Political Science in 2006.
In 2010, this political activist, social crusader, grassroots mobiliser and a realist of note proceeded to Nassarawa State University, Keffi, where he was conferred with a PhD in Political Economy and Development Studies in 2015.
Working Experience
Usman Ogbo’s traverse in life is well rooted in remarkable commitment to administration, teaching, research, activism and advocacy, mentorship and community service.
After his mandatory NYSC programme during he taught Government as a subject in Makun High School, Shagamu, Ogun State, in 2002, he had a brief stint with the Halogen Security Company, as a Security Supervisor attached to Nadina Industry, Gbagada, Lagos State.
Shortly after, in 2003, he was privileged to begin his public service as an Administrative Assistant at the University of Ilorin.
Luckily for him, his public service began under the guidance and mentorship of a renowned scholar and astute administrator, Professor Shamsudeen Amali, then Vice Chancellor of the University and later Vice Chancellor of Nassarawa State University.
He also enjoyed the mentorship of an equally reputable scholar, administrator, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and current Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede.
Professor A. O. Soladoye equally mentored and reformed the worldview of Usman Ogbo, especially in the area of administrative intricacies. Mr. E. D. Obafemi, Ogbo’s immediate boss who later became the Registrar of University of Ilroin, did guide and expose him to rigorous administrative experiences beyond his grade level.
It was no surprise then when as a young and dynamic Administrative Officer, he was left in charge of the administration of the College of Heath Sciences, acting as the College Secretary for over a year.
Based on his administrative capacity and sterling leadership qualities, he was later appointed as the youngest ever substantive Faculty Officer, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin.
As a young officer ever willing to shoulder more responsibilities, he became the capable hand for virtually all Committees in the Faculty, College and to a remarkable extent, the larger University of Ilorin community.
Between 2004 and 2009, he had provided invaluable secretariat support (as Secretary) to over 22 Committees and Panels in the University. For such a young administrator, it was a record!
It was not surprising therefore when the then Vice Chancellor, Professor Ishaq Oloyode wrote a letter of commendation to him for diligent supervision of subordinates as a Faculty Officer.
With unblemished record of service and a rising profile as an administrator, Ogbo was heading for the peak of administrative astuteness.
However, his love for the academics and service to his community made him to voluntarily cut short a distinctive administrative career at the University of Ilorin and transferred his services to Kogi State University, Anyigba, as Assistant Lecturer in 2009.
Since then, he has steadily risen through the ranks, and now a Senior Lecturer in the Department Political of Science of the University.
At Kogi State University, he has taught several courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
He has also successfully supervised Master degree students and currently supervising six others who are already at the advanced stage of their programme.
Administrative Responsibilities and Imprints in Kogi State University
In terms of administrative leadership and experience at the Kogi State University, Anyigba, Dr. Usman Ogbo’s profile is more than remarkable.
At the Departmental level, he has served as Level Adviser across levels, Secretary, Departmental Board Meetings, Departmental Project Coordinator, Assistant Examination Officer, Examination Officer, PG Coordinator and has been the Head of Department since 2016.
At the Faculty level, he has served and still serving meritoriously as; Secretary, Faculty Examination Misconduct Committee, Chairman, Faculty Examination Misconduct Committee (2017 – Date), Member, Faculty Electoral Committee for the election of Dean (2013), Chairman, Faculty Electoral Committee for election of Dean (2016 and 2018) and Member, Faculty of Social Sciences Management Committee (2016 – Date).
At the larger university level, he has served as Secretary E-examination Committee, Chairman, E – Examination Committee, Deputy Coordinator, General Studies Unit, Coordinator, General Studies Unit and Dean, Student Affairs. He is currently the Director of Consultancy Services and a Member (Congregation Representative) Governing Council of the University.
In addition, this workaholic and meticulous researcher and administrative wizard has served and still serving as Member, Secretary and Chairman of not less than 30 other ad-hoc and statutory committees since he joined the services of the Kogi State University in 2009.
It is worthwhile to highlight some of the remarkable feats recorded in the course of discharging some of the aforementioned responsibilities.
1. As a Head of Department, Dr. Usman has set a pace in terms of due diligence, promptness of delivery and Examination Record Keeping. It is a standard that his successors will find difficult to negate. He has also meticulously injected vigor to the Post graduate programme in the Department. Remarkably, out of the six (6) PhD graduates produced by the Department since the inception of PG Programme in 2008, five (5) graduated under the Headship of Dr. Usman Ogbo. To crown it all, because of his administrative acumen and team work he has built with his colleague, the Department of Political Science was able to retain its FULL ACCREDITATION STATUS in 2018.
2. Within the short period Dr Usman Ogbo served as the Dean, Student Affairs of the Kogi State University, he was able to design a template for the decentralization of Hostel accommodation against the hitherto chaotic previous practices. Through intelligence network, diplomatic approaches and open door policy, cultism or cult related activities were alien to the campus of the Kogi state University, Anyigba during the short period.
3. As a Coordinator of the General Studies Unit, Dr. Usman Ogbo was able to present proposal to the University authority which led to the upgrading of the Unit to a full Directorate in line with best practices in other universities.
4. As the Director of Consultancy Services, he was able to bring sanity and stringent measures to the allocation of spaces and business operation on the campus. This he did through revalidation and proper documentation for ease of reference. Some of the illegal business operators on the campus who had their makeshift tents removed derisively see Dr. Usman Ogbo as the ‘El Rufai’ of KSU; but this could not be a deterrent to him.
5. As Member, Secretary and Chairman, E-Examination Committee (in that successive order), Dr. Usman Ogbo was able to sustain, maintain and deploy high level of integrity and precision for the conduct of the examination. In spite of the huge number of candidates and students involved on regular basis, the Committee has always recorded huge successes.
Publications and Conference Attendance
Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman as a researcher of no mean repute has published over 25 articles in reputable local and international journals and has several chapters in edited books to his credit.
In addition, he has attended and presented papers at conferences both at the disciplinary and interdisciplinary levels across the country. He has also delivered lectures and engaged in constructive interactions at several conferences, fora, workshops and symposia.
Community Service
In terms of Community Service, between 2010 to 2012, Dr. Usman Ogbo served as Investment Secretary, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kogi State University, Anyigba Chapter, Secretary, ASUU Electoral Committee, Kogi University Chapter (2016) and Member, Ethics Committee of the Union before it was proscribed.
In addition, he has also served as staff adviser and patron to more than 15 registered and recognised clubs and associations both at the University of Ilorin and Kogi State University, Anyigba.
Honours and Recognition
In recognition of his commitment to discipline and promotion of lives, livelihood and human values, Dr. Usman Ogbo has bagged several honours, awards and commendations.
Few among these include Letter of Commendation for Vigilance and Diligence supervision of subordinates from the Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin (2008), Letter of Commendation from the Governing Council of Kogi State University, Anyigba as Member of a 5-Man E-Examination Team that deployed and successfully domesticated CBT for the University (2014), Letter of Commendation from the Head, Department of Political Science, Kogi State University, Anyigba for positive contributions as Examination Officer (2015), Letter of Appreciation from the Vice Chancellor, Kogi State University, Anyigba for loyalty to the University, diligence, steadfastness and dedication to duty as Dean of Student Affairs (2016).
He has also at several occasions received Merit Awards from student Associations and clubs in Kogi State University; notable among them are the; National Association of Kogi Political Science Students (NAPSS)’s Best Examination Officer (2013) and the Best Head of Department award from the same body (2019).
Others are National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS)’s Most Influential Lecturer award (2014), National Association of Social Science Students (NASSS)’s Students Leader award (2014), Igala Students Association (ISA)’s Most Students Friendly Lecturer award (2016), Man O’ War in Kogi State University’s Honourable Leader award (2015), Rotaract International, Rotaract Zone H Kogi State District’s Outstanding Academic award (2017), among others.
Personal Principles and Activism
It is quite clear that Dr Usman Ogbo, is a man with a humble beginning who is no doubt striving and emerging as an academic giant, administrative wizard and social justice and equal opportunities crusader.
Though very controversial and misunderstood as a consequence, he is unarguably, a realist by ideological orientation. He believes in equal opportunities for all, irrespective of tribal, religious, class and family barriers.
He is of the firm belief that children of Mr. nobody should be treated and allowed to enjoy equal opportunities as the children of Mr. somebody. He pursues this ideal fearlessly, courageously, and doggedly.
Membership of Professional Associations
Dr Usman Ogbo is a member of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), member Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA) and Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration (FCIA).
Hobbies
He loves reading, travelling and politicking.
Family Life
Dr. Salisu Usman Ogbo is happily married to Mallama Hannatu Salisu Usman, and the marriage is blessed with children.
– Tairu Momoh
