The Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman, has officially handed over the Osara campus of the institution to the state government for the takeoff and commencement of academic activities in the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara.
The Rector, who handed over the necessary documents to the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, on Monday in Osara, expressed joy for being part of the historic event.
The Osara campus of Kogi State Polytechnic was until the time of handing over, the School of Preliminary Studies of the institution.
The Acting Rector, while handing over the campus on Monday said the moment was a historic one for him in all ramifications, considering that he was privileged to be involved in a ceremony marking the elevation of a campus he went through as an IJMB student in 1995/96.
He stressed that being the first alumnus of the Polytechnic to be appointed as Rector, he was very proud that the very campus that was a huge part of his academic journey was undergoing a tremendous academic transformation in his time at helm of affairs of the institution.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Yahaya Adoza for granting him the privilege to be part of the historic moment and success story. He also expressed his goodwill and support for the smooth take off and growth of the new university.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, who received the campus on behalf of the State Government, counted it a big privilege to receive the Osara campus from the Polytechnic for the take off of the Conference University of Science and Technology.
He commended Governor Bello for his commitment to the growth of education in the state.
The Commissioner also commended the Polytechnic for the quick response and the detailed report that was submitted within a very short period.
In view of the development, the Commissioner of Education assured members of staff and students of the School of Preliminary Studies (SPS) who hitherto used the facilities at Osara, of their relocation to a more convenient location soon.
“His Excellency is so much passionate about revamping education sector in the state, and he wants to take education to the levels we can never imagine.
“In fact, the governor has said that from now till the end of his tenure, 20 per cent of the annual state budget will be allocated to education.
“The implication is that, if the state’s annual budget is N100 billion, it means that N20 billion of that money will go to education in the year under review,” he said.
According to him, the governor is a man of his words who always back up his words with actions, and he is doing everything possible to reposition education and taking it to another level.
In his Vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Committee on the smooth handing over of the campus and Deputy Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Kehinde Felix Lamidi, appreciated Governor Bello and the Commissioner for their efforts at raising the standard of education in Kogi state.
He reiterated the support of the management under the leadership of Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman to the success story of CUSTECH.
In his vote of thanks, the Deputy Rector of Kogi Polytechnic, Dr Lamidi Kehinde, commended the governor and the commissioner for the feat, while thanking all committee members for their support in ensuring that a comprehensive document was handed over.
The commissioner also took his time to inspect the ongoing projects and some facilities at the Osara campus, while he further moved to Kogi Polytechnic School of Engineering, Itakpe, to inspect some TETFUND executed projects at the campus.
The Commissioner was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Pastor Emmanuel Idenyi; Director Science and Technology, Mr Dipo Aiyenibe; and Director Tertiary and Continued Education, Mrs Clara Bolu, among others.
