Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, has appealed to the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, HRM Dr. Ahmed Tijani Anaje, to intervene in the encroachment of the school land at the Itakpe satellite campus.
Prof Salisu made the appeal when the institution’s management team paid a courtesy visit to the Ohinoyi in his palace on Friday.
He noted that the institution has invested over N7 billion at its Itakpe satellite campus, adding that it was inherited from the then Kwara State.
“We inherited the campus from Kwara State. The campus is older than the Polytechnic itself. We have what we call chronic encroachment on our campus land in Itakpe, including serious security challenges, and vandalization of our valuable which is always a daily occurrence.
“Those that encroached our land including very prominent personalities have been calling me with threats.
“Those who has built on our land should vacate it. Some of them reported the issue to the Ministry of Lands. The management of the institution brought out the site plan of the Polytechnic land as inherited from Kwara State.
“Those who encroached into our land were instructed to bring their own documents for verification. Up till this moment, they are still struggling to bring any documents to counter the claims of the Polytechnic,” he said.
The Polytechnic Rector appealed to those who encroached into the institution’s land to thread the path of peace.
“We don’t want us to have crisis that can discourage further developments in our campus. The Itakpe Campus which comprises School of Engineering and Agricultural Technology is the heart of the Polytechnic. For this reason, we don’t joke with it and we want to manage and develop that campus beyond the expectation of Nigerians,” he added.
Prof. Ododo, however, thanked Governor Usman Ododo for approving the perimeter fencing of the Polytechnic campus in Itakpe.
The Rector, while using the opportunity to outline some his achievement since he assumed office in Kogi State Polytechnic congratulated the Royal Father for ascending the throne of his forefathers.
Prof. Ogbo intimated the monarch that Governor Ododo has magnanimously renewed his appointment, promising that he will not disappoint the people.
“I remember when I stepped in as the Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic on 7th April 2020, my first point of call was to visit traditional rulers. One of the valuables advice given to me was to collaborate with the Ajaokuta Steel Company. That advice gave birth to the establishment of school of agricultural technology Itakpe.
Prof. Ogbo commended the unity among members of Staff and Students in the institution, assuring that plans are on the way to lift the ban on tribal association in the institution which didn’t start under his administration.
“We are working on this so that the Students can relate harmoniously. I am a Muslim and I won’t allow my faith to influence my judgement. When their is fairness and justice, everything will be going smoothly. All my six Principal officers are drawn across the three Senatorial District.”
He identified insecurity as one of the precarious situations the institution was facing before his administration came on board.
“Before I came on board, cultists are the demi-gods. They do block roads and do all manner of things. But, when I came on board, every changed. I want appreciate the Kogi State Government for giving us all the needed support to nip it in the bud. We have made several arrest and those that are doing that are facing it before the law”
The Professor of Political Science who acknowledged that examination malpractice undermines the integrity of any institution disclosed some of his educational reforms in Kogi State Polytechnic.
Continuing, he said, “Through our intelligence, we were able to arrest 58 syndicates who are known for examination malpractice at Sarkin Noma in Lokoja Kogi State. They have all been arrested and prosecuted. I was with one of the official for the last screening exercise in Kogi State who informed me that Kogi State Polytechnic has over 5000 fake results presented before them.
“This was before my appointment as Rector of the Polytechnic. Since I came on board, nobody has forged certificate or results in Kogi State Polytechnic. My administration introduced e-governance which is the Computer Based Test, (CBT). Under my watch, we were able to have a combined convocation between 2023-2023 and over 30 programs were accredited by the National Board for Technical Education, (NBTE).
Prof. Ogbo reiterates that Staff Welfare remains his top priority as the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic stressing that backlogs of promotions areas for members of staff has been paid up to 2021.
According to him, request for the payment of promotion arrears between 2021-2023 is being processed for the Governor approval.
Speaking on the welfare of the students, Prof. Ogbo recalled that the bill of quantity for the renovation of the then abandoned school hostel was put at over N450million.
“The sum of N268 million was later approved for the renovation of the School hostel after taking a loan from a new generation bank.
“The hostel renovation was completed and we have savings. From that saving, we fenced the female hostels, sank boreholes, and provided 100,000 capacity of reservoir. The management has finished paying the loan to the bank”.
He stated that under his leadership, the institution introduced new programs such as School of agricultural technology to ensure food security in Kogi State and Nigeria in general.
“We have provided tractors to make this school meet the demands,” he added.
He lamented that his administration inherited legal tussles against the institution which led to the creation of legal units in the Polytechnic.
Prof. Ogbo added that the management has been able to balance the recruitment of Staff across the three Senatorial district to enable the State have sense of belonging.
Responding to the Rector’s Speech, the Ohinoyi of Ebira land noted that as a traditional ruler, he is mandated to promote peace and protect the interest of his people.
“Our request is that avails the Palace the names of those that have allegedly encroached into the Polytechnic land so that we can know who to invite for questioning. I am appealing to the school authority to assist us with important documents that will guide us in looking at this case.
“The palace will be transparent in handling this matter before jumping into conclusions. If they are guilty, the Palace will order them to move away from the land as my reign remains committed in promoting peace and development in Ebira land,” he stressed.
Speaking on issues concerning Kogi State, the respected monarch advocated for the rotation of governorship seat across the three senatorial districts of Kogi State.
“Kogi State is own by everyone of us. Rotating our governorship seat in Kogi State is the best way to move forward. I am optimistic that one day stakeholders will sit down and look at this critically. When there is rotation, once your tenure elapse, their is no need for the other side to come out and contest. It is important to shift it to another side. I believe by doing so, it will help to reduce the tension in Kogi State,” he stated.
The monarch stressed the need for unity among various ethnic groups adding that, the achievement of Professor Salisu Ogbo is highly commendable and appreciated by all and sundry in the state.
“I can now see why the Governor renewed your appointment. I have known your support for both the previous and the current administrations. From all what you said today, I am now convinced that you deserve more. You are not doing this to help the students alone but you are helping the entire nation. These children will become Governor, Senator and many more. You are building a better nation for tomorrow.”
He commended Governor Ododo for his achievement in Kogi State within a short time in office adding that it was commendable that Kogites didn’t participate in #EndBadGovernance protest.
“Kogi State not participating in this protest is highly commendable. If you look at other states that participated in this protest, lives were lost and properties worth billion of naira was destroyed. Kogi State was very smart by looking at the future that protest is never the solution but dialogue”.
He, however, admonished Nigerians to go back to agriculture which will guarantee food security in the country.
“I have over 100 people working in this palace. That is why I told them that they should all go into farming. Farming is the only way out of this current hardship. Here in this palace, I have my own farm so that I and my family can be self sufficient”.
