By Stephen Adeleye.
HRH Oba Omonile Ige Timothy, the Olu of Oke-Ibunkun Kingdom, in Kabba -Bunu LGA, has commended Kogi State Polytechnic Rector, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, on his tremendous achievements in his first term in office
Oba Timothy made the commendation on Tuesday when he led members of Oke-Ibunkun Traditional council and Leaders of the community on a courtesy visit to the Rector and Management of Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja.
The Royal father said Oke-Ibukun community had been following the Rector’s developmental strides, saying they were in the institution to encourage and pray for him to do more in his second term.
The monarch also appreciated the rector on the appointment of many sons and daughters of Oke-Ibunkun community at the institution including the Registrar, Elder Sunday Aiyetan, and others.
“We are here to encourage and pray for you for the numerous achievements such as infrastructural developments, academic excellence, sanctity, unity and all round developments that you and your management staff have recorded in your first tenure in this institution.
“As you commence your second tenure in office we are urging you to do more for the institution for the benefits of the entire people of Kogi State.” Oba Timothy said.
The First Class paramount ruler specifically eulogised the Rector for introducing Agricultural technology and other courses that would enable Kogi Poly graduates to be self-employed and be employers of labour.
He stressed the need for Heads of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions across the country to initiate courses that would make graduates to be self employed instead of job seekers.
“The.time has come for heads of tertiary institutions to prioritise the establishment of courses and skill acquisition that would enable students to be self employed after their graduation,” he said.
He, therefore urged Vice Chancellors, Rectors and other heads of tertiary institutions to look inward by emulating the effort of Kogi Poly Rector in making the institution a practical oriented centre of studies.
The traditional ruler commended His Excellency, Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo, for reappointing Prof. Salisu Usman Ogbo, to enable him to continue his good job in the polytechnic without distractions.
The royal father assured the Rector and the management of the institution of his unalloyed support and that of his community to taking the school to greater heights.
In his response, the Rector appreciated the paramount ruler and his community for the visit, prayer and encouragement, and promised not to disappoint the people and the governor.
Prof Salisu assured that the Polytechnic management would continue to do the needful in order to make the institution a citadel of learning where graduates will be employers of labour.
The rector expressed his gratitude to the former Governor Yahaya Bello for considering him worthy of the appointment, while appreciating Gov. Ahmed Ododo, for reappointing him eight months before the expiration of his first tenure which will end on February 11, 2025.
The rector, who took his time to reel out the numerous and unprecedented achievements recorded under his administration, promised to continue to do his best to transforming the institution to the admiration of the governor and the good people of Kogi State.
He, however implored the traditional rulers in the state to intensify effort in praying for Nigerian leaders, saying the visit would spur him to do more for the Polytechnic especially in the areas of infrastructures and welfare of staff, and students.
In his vote of thanks, the Deputy Rector, Dr Samuel Taiwo Olowo, appreciated the monarch and his followers for the visit, assuring them that the rector and the management of the institution would continue to make the people proud.
Olowo described the Rector as a detribalised selfless leader who has enshrined equity, fairness and justice in the institution, adding that the greatest of all his achievement is “unity” among the people of various ethnicities, religions and regions in the state.
