Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, the Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja; born into a polygamous family on 26th October, 1972 at Angwa-Ogebe, in Ankpa Township, Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Still, Dr. Usman Ogbo is unqualified. Made unqualified by a circuit of societally-progressive-dwarfs that interpret reality from the incompetence of their own humanity.
There is a saying that: “even if you are dancing on water, you enemies will accuse you of raising dust”
The man Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, may be many things to many people and that is a function of their perceptions of him from their vantage positions.
His recent appointment as Ag. Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, is not surprising because he has sterling qualities that are deserving.
For the records, Dr. S. O. Usman is well educated and eminently qualified to provide leadership in the institution. He began his humble educational pursuitat the Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) Primary School, Ankpa. He later transferred to the LGEA Primary School in Ankpa, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1988.
He proceeded to St Charles College, Ankpa for his secondary education in 1989, but later switched over to the Young Muslim Congress Secondary School (YMCSS) Ankpa, where he obtained his West Africa Senior School Certificate in 1995.
His quest for tertiary education began at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Osara Campus where he obtained his Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination (IJMBE), Advanced Level Result in 1996. Ogbo was a member of the pioneer set of the programme.
With the Advanced Level result from Osara, he enrolled for his Bachelor Degree at the Bayero University, Kano, in 1997, and obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) Degree in Political Science in 2001.
Three years after obtaining his Bachelor degree (2004 to be precise), Ogbo proceeded to the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, where he obtained his Master of Science (M.Sc) in Political Science in 2006.
In 2010, he proceeded to the Nassarawa State University, Keffi, where he was conferred with a Ph.D Degree in Political Economy and Development Studies in 2015.
Usman Ogbo’s commitment to administration, teaching, research, activism and advocacy, mentorship and community service has endeared him to many over the years. From his career days in the administrative cadre at the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, to his academic sojourn at the Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria, where he has steadily risen through the ranks, and now a Senior Lecturer in the Department Political of Science, he has demonstrated sterling qualities in carrying out his responsibilities.
At Kogi State University, he has taught several courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
He has also successfully supervised Master degree students and currently supervising six others who are already at the advanced stage of their programme.
He has held several administrative positions at the Kogi State University, Anyigba.
At the Departmental level, he has served as Level Adviser across levels, Secretary, Departmental Board Meetings, Departmental Project Coordinator, Assistant Examination Officer, Examination Officer, PG Coordinator and has been the Head of Department since 2016.
At the Faculty level, he has served and still serving meritoriously as; Secretary, Faculty Examination Misconduct Committee, Chairman, Faculty Examination Misconduct Committee (2017 – Date), Member, Faculty Electoral Committee for the election of Dean (2013), Chairman, Faculty Electoral Committee for election of Dean (2016 and 2018) and Member, Faculty of Social Sciences Management Committee (2016 – Date).
At the larger university level, he has served as Secretary E-examination Committee, Chairman, E – Examination Committee, Deputy Coordinator, General Studies Unit, Coordinator, General Studies Unit and Dean, Student Affairs. He is currently the Director of Consultancy Services and a Member (Congregation Representative) Governing Council of the University.
In addition, this workaholic and meticulous researcher and administrative wizard has served and still serving as Member, Secretary and Chairman of not less than 30 other ad-hoc and statutory committees since he joined the services of the Kogi State University in 2009.
Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman as a researcher of no mean repute has published over 25 articles in reputable local and international journals and has several chapters in edited books to his credit. In addition, he has attended and presented papers at conferences both at the disciplinary and interdisciplinary levels across the country. He has also delivered lectures and engaged in constructive interactions at several conferences, fora, workshops and symposia.
In terms of Community Service, between 2010 to 2012, Dr. Usman Ogbo served as Investment Secretary, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kogi State University, Anyigba Chapter, Secretary, ASUU Electoral Committee, Kogi University Chapter (2016) and Member, Ethics Committee of the Union before it was proscribed.
In addition, he has also served as staff adviser and patron to more than 15 registered and recognised clubs and associations both at the University of Ilorin and Kogi State University, Anyigba.
It is quite clear that Dr Usman Ogbo, is a man with a humble beginning who is no doubt striving and emerging as an academic giant, administrative wizard and social justice and equal opportunities crusader.
Though very controversial and misunderstood as a consequence, he is unarguably, a realist by ideological orientation. He believes in equal opportunities for all, irrespective of tribal, religious, class and family barriers.
Dr Usman Ogbo is a member of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), member Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA) and Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration (FCIA).
He is the first alumni of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja to be so appointed as Ag. Rector. The youngest in the history of appointment of Rectorship of the polytechnic since inception. A man of different perspectives. A nexus between the town and gown. A new generation of leadership in the ivory tower of Kogi State. A sagacious and indispensable upcoming political iroko with the touch of intellectualism.
You may not like Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, but he is a blessed man.
He lives. He lives as a father, husband, academic giant, social mobilizer, students commander and political fire.
– Promise Emmanuel
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kogi State
