This is to formally inform my friends, students, colleagues and foes alike that my rumored removal as Dean of Student Affairs of Kogi State University, Anyigba based on the POLITICALLY motivated order from the “Oga at the top” beyond the university environs is real.
I want to sincerely thank the Vice Chancellor for the confidence reposed in me and for finding me worthy to serve in such capacity. Special appreciation to my students for their unalloyed support and cooperation. I feel loved by my students because I know their problems and also know how to tackle them promptly. It is on record that I remain the only Dean of Students that knows the condition of the students toilets and halls of residence.
I want to equally thank my foes for lying against me and inadvertently brought me stardom. For those that peddle lies against me and those that absorb such lies without recourse to fair hearing as a panacea of natural justice, I said thank you too. Your action is however temporary as darkness will always give way to light.
As a budding academic with fast rising profile, I am certainly not surprised with the enormity of lies against me. My surprise however are those that took such lies hook, line and sinker based on clannish and politically motivated sentiments. It is unfortunate they profess the opposite of fairness, justice and impartial administration of our dear state – Kogi.
As you might be aware, university is governed via committee system. I have had the privilege to have served as Secretary and Member of not less than 100 committees both at the University of Ilorin and Kogi State University, Anyigba. My foes with such records should dare bring their records forward.
I have an unbeatable records at the University of Ilorin as the youngest Administrator to have served as Acting Secretary, College of Health Sciences and Faculty Officer at different times. Glory be to God.
I voluntarily transferred my service to Kogi State University Anyigba from the University of Ilorin with unblemished record of service. Since I joined KSU, I have served meritoriously in various capacities and assignments given to me.
At the Departmental levels, I had served as Secretary, Department of Political Science Academic Board, Project Coordinator, Assistant Examination Officer, substantive Examination Officer and Post Graduate Coordinator which I voluntarily relinquished having been appointed as Acting Head, Department of Political Science based on the overwhelming recommendations by my Colleagues.
At the University wide assignments, I was appointed as Deputy Coordinator, General Studies Unit, substantive Coordinator, General Studies Unit and Acting Director, General Studies Unit – the position I held before I was appointed as Dean of Student Affairs. Again let my lazy foes match these records of service.
I have never experienced delayed or denied promotion since my working careers. This is because aside from the enormous and meritorious administrative responsibilities, I equally carried out research and published as well as engaging in community service which the university system is known for.
As part of my community services since I joined KSU, I had served as Staff Adviser to numerous students associations and clubs. Among these are NAKOSS, ISA, ASS, ACTIVSTA, Man O War, NAPSS, NASS among others.
The joy of every staff is recognition by your employer. I am overwhelmed in my career with letter of commendation from the Council of the University of Ilorin, the Council of Kogi State university Anyigba at different times and just today another letter of appreciation from the Vice Chancellor of Kogi State University, Anyigba for meritorious service during my tenure as Dean of Students.
Finally, it is indeed a rare privilege to have served very closely with the big names in the Nigeria University sector. I worked with Prof Shamsudeen Amali, the former VC, Unilorin, Prof. Ishaq Oloyode, former VC Unilorin and the newly appointed Registrar, JAMB. At Kogi State University, Anyigba, I have served very closely with Prof Hassan Isah, the former VC, KSU and Prof M S Abdulkadir, the current VC, KSU. Aren’t I lucky? Should these not be the source of envy?
As a young man, I detest sycophancy and remain as frankly as I have been. For those at the top that are looking for sycophancy from me, they will not get it, because it is not my way.
I want to end this by reemphasizing one of the positions that have so much fetched hatred for me from the Oga at the top. I have always emphasized and will continue to emphasize that, to govern people, you must learn the act of diplomacy, collective bargaining, negotiation and consensus. Bullying, intimidation and cajoling certainly serve no good.
Once again thank you all for your support as always. God bless!!!
– Dr Usman Ogbo
Former Dean, Student Affairs
Kogi State University, Anyigba
