The Governing Council of Kogi State Polytechnic says promotion of academic excellence through modern curricula, improving staff and students’ welfare, upgrading infrastructure such as laboratories, ICT facilities and lecture halls are its priorities.
This was disclosed at the inaugural meeting of the 10th Governing Council of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja on Thursday.
The Council assured that it willconsolidate academic excellence, innovation, research visibility, accountability and improved welfare of staff and students.
According to statement signed by the Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Uredo Omale, the meeting which was the 72nd Regular meeting of the Council held at the Council Chambers of the Polytechnic, was presided over by the Chairman, Barrister Sani Shaibu.
In his inaugural address, Barr. Shaibu expressed profound gratitude to the Executive Governor of Kogi State and Visitor to the Polytechnic, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for the confidence reposed in him and other Council members.
He described the appointment as a privilege and honour, pledging to justify the trust through dedicated service and purposeful leadership.
The Chairman stressed that Kogi State Polytechnic remains a beacon of technical education and manpower development for Kogi State in particular, and Nigeria as a whole.
He outlined the Council’s’ priorities to include promoting academic excellence through modern curricula, improving staff and students’ welfare, strengthening partnerships with industries and professional bodies, entrenching accountability and good governance, and ensuring a cult-free and crime-free campus through enhanced security.
The legal luminary also commended the effort of the management of the Polytechnic, particularly the recent Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal University Lokoja to commence undergraduate and top-up programmes.
He assured the Governor that the Council would work in line with the state government’s vision for education, youth empowerment, and economic development.
In his remarks, the Rector, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, congratulated the Chairman and members of the 10th Governing Council on their well-deserved appointments.
He described their emergence as timely and resourceful, noting that their wealth of experience would further strengthen the growth and visibility of the institution.
Prof. Usman recalled that since his assumption of office in 2020, the Polytechnic had significantly tackled the problem of infrastructural deficit, cultism and other social vices, indiscipline, ICT deficiencies, and strained relationships with funding agencies among others.
The Rector seized the opportunity to highlight the modest achievements recorded by his management which were noted and commended by the Governing Council.
He appreciated the support of both the immediate past Governor, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Bello, CON, and the incumbent Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for their non-interference in the Polytechnic’s internal administration, which he described as the secret of their modest efforts.
The Rector also seized the opportunity to thank the Chairman and members of the 9th Governing Council for their support and cordial relationship during their tenure.
Prof Usman also acknowledged the support of members of management, regulatory bodies and development partners.
He expressed optimism that with the Council’s leadership, the Polytechnic’s “Repair, Reform, and Restore” agenda would enter a new phase of consolidation.
Both the Chairman and the Rector called on staff, students, alumni and stakeholders to support the Council in building a legacy of excellence, expressing confidence that with unity, dedication and God’s grace, Kogi State Polytechnic would attain greater heights.
The Governing Council has 19 members with Barrister Sani Shaibu as Chairman.
Other members are the Principal Officers, external and internal members, ministry representatives and the representative of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
