- Charges the Ag. Rector to be humble, take the institution as his personal property
The Onu Ankpa, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulmalik Umar has paid special tributes to Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello for the appointment of an Anpka son, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman as the Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
The traditional ruler who expressed this when the Acting Rector paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Anpka said the appointment was a great honour for the people of Ankpa as it was an indication of the strength of recognition for the area.
He said that the current appointment in addition to that of the Provost of the State College of Education, Ankpa, the construction of the long abandoned Anpka township road, the remodeling of the Ankpa Central Mosque and the elevation of the stool of Onu Anpka into a First Class one are huge gestures from the current administration towards the people of Ankpa, adding that such would ever remain a reference point in years to come.
He also commended the Deputy Governor of the State, His Excellency, Chief Edward David Onoja, for the support and encouragement given to Dr. Usman and the entire Ankpa people which contributed to the height so far attained.
Alhaji Umar congratulated Dr Usman on his appointment and challenged him to be humble and give everyone their due respect.
He also advised the Acting Rector to care for the institution the same way he would care for his personal property, provide selfless leadership for others to emulate and use the leadership opportunity for the benefit of humanity.
His Royal Highness stressed that with the track record of the Acting Rector at the University of Ilorin and Kogi State University, he had no doubt that he would deploy the same wealth of experience to make his tenure a success.
He prayed almighty Allah to guard and direct Dr. S.O. Usman in whatever steps he takes to make the Polytechnic better.
He urged him to not to hesitate to call on him any time he deemed it necessary, stressing that he would always be there to give fatherly counsel and support.
The Royal Father seized the opportunity to appeal to all Ankpa sons and daughters to emulate Dr. Usman by working harder and take education serious, as it is through the weapon of education that they can occupy a pride of place in the Nigerian polity and make Ankpa competitive in the scheme of things.
In his earlier address, Dr S.O. Usman told his Royal Highness that he was in the Palace to greet him and seek his royal blessings in his bid to face the challenges ahead.
He also appealed to Onu Ankpa to help extend his profound appreciation to His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, for giving him the nod to take the top seat in the Polytechnic.
He stressed that Ankpa Local Government alone has benefitted so much from the administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello either by way of appointments, elevation or physical development, which he said was a clear indication of his love for the people.
Among such benefits he stressed, is the appointment of two Ankpa sons to head two tertiary institutions in the State, namely the Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, and Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
In terms of elevation, he stressed it was only a Governor of Yahaya Bello’s status that has the magnanimity to elevate the seat of the Onu Ankpa into a First Class stool.
In terms of physical infrastructures, the Acting Rector said the administration constructed the long neglected Ankpa Township Road and remodeled the Ankpa Central Mosque into a standard befitting of the religious legacy of the people.
He also appreciated the support and encouragement of the Deputy Governor of the State, His Excellency, Chief Edward David Onoja, the former Administrator, Ankpa Local Government and the Current Special Adviser to The Governor on Political Matter, Ankpa Federal Constituency, Hon John Aduga and a former Vice Chairman, Ankpa Local Government, Hon. Iliasu Muktahr.
He told the traditional ruler that he was ready to deploy his experience as a teacher and administrator in two universities to embark on policies and programmes that would put the Polytechnic on the global map of research, teaching and learning.
He made reference to the series of reforms and innovations he has embarked on since assumption of Office as evidence of his determination to work in that direction. Some of such measures he stressed, include the setting up of committees to address glaring challenges such construction of student hostels, security, ICT evolution, recovery of the Polytechnic funds embezzled in the name of contracts, amongst others.
Among the dignities that accompanied the Acting Rector on the visit were a former Administrator, Ankpa Local Government and the Current Special Adviser to The Governor on Political Matter, Ankpa Federal Constituency, Hon John Aduga and a former Vice Chairman, Ankpa Local Government, Hon. Iliasu Muktahr.
