The President, National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Comrade Asefon Sunday, has lauded the impactful reforms and infrastructural development in Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
Asefon made this known in Lokoja on Thursday when he led NANS executives and other students and youth leaders on a courtesy visit to the polytechnic.
He commended the visionary leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello and the Rector, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman in the rapid transformation of academics and infrastructure in the institution in the last two years.
The NANS President noted that the polytechnic has witnessed visible turn-around since the Rector assumed office, less than two years ago.
He hailed the stable academic calendar, ban on sale of textbooks and handouts, security architecture and renovation of hostels in the polytechnic. He added that the upgrade of the institution’s health facility is a pointer to the current management’s commitment to students welfare.
“Two years ago, passersby hardly notice that Kogi Poly exists, but today, nobody can pass through the Abuja-Lokoja highway without noticing the presence of the institution.
“I was in this school twice when I was campaigning to be NANS president. I know the difference between what I saw then and what I am seeing now. There is need for us to celebrate the Rector so he can do more. In those days, students presents awards, but in our own day, we celebrate Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts that believe there is need to turn schools, hotels and classrooms around, not only their office.
“We commend the Governor for putting a round peg in a round hole, choosing a visionary leader that has transformed this citadel of learning to a 21st century institution. The Rector has turned the polytechnic from a glorified secondary school to an institution that can compete with others in the country,” he said.
He passed a vote of confidence on the Dr. Salisu Usman-led management of the polytechnic.
Asefon also commended Governor Yahaya Bello for prioritizing security across the state, describing the state as a reference point in campus security.
Responding, the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, described the visit of NANS leadership as historic as it coincided with the anniversary of his maiden commissioning of projects in the school by Governor Yahaya Bello.
Highlighting the progresses achieved in areas of learning, infrastructure, security, fiscal transparency and others, Dr. Ogbo who attribute all the feats achieved in the school to the genuine love of Governor Yahaya Bello for quality education, said it wouldn’t have been possible without the Governor’s support and free room to operate.
He described Governor Bello as an exceptional leader who is passionate about development.
“Governor Yahaya Bello has supported us massively and has encouraged us to make impact. As a young man who is development driven, the Governor has always granted all our requests to institute infrastructure and academic revolution in the school, this is responsible for the various completed and ongoing projects across this institution.
“I must also appreciate our management team for their cooperation. They are providing the needed support which is now manifesting in the overall upgrade of the institution. Outside the few structures that we’ve been able to complete, I want to assure you that we have more than five ongoing structures which will all be commissioned soon”.
Dr Ogbo added that the security, quality assurance reforms introduced into the system has helped in curbing insecurity and also improved quality of teaching and learning, making the institution one of the best in the country.
