Photo credit:The Trend.
By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Any graduate from university in kogi state that obtains first class grade is sure of getting automatic employment from the state government, henceforth.
The Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaha Bello, gave the promise in Lokoja on Wednesday in his speech at the reception marking the 50th birthday of the Rector,Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja,Dr.SalisuOgbo Usman.
According to him, the move is aimed at encouraging hard work and recognising academic achievement among students of higher education in the state.
Governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff,Pharm.Abdulkareem Asuku,however stressed the need for students to shun cultism, drug abuse and examination malpractice among others, in order to achieve such feat.
Bello urged university lecturers to institutionise discipline as part of the process of impacting knowledge into student:to make them responsible leaders of tomorrow.
According to him, politicians will also do society good by institutionising discipline in students and youths to ensure peace and development.
The governor called on students of the Polytechnic to consolidate on the achievements of his administration and those of the Rector by maintaining and enhancing the current peace in the institution and face their study squarely, to enable them achieve their educational aspiration.
He described Dr. Usman as an “excellent leader” who used his deligence and dedication to duty to instill the culture of prudent management of resources and sanitised the Polytechnic in many ways with impressive performance.
Bello recalled that when the state government wanted to appoint another Rector for the Polytechnic and the name of Dr Usman was submitted, the move did not go down well with some people in certain quarters in the state.
He, however, said that after due investigation into the issues raised against the Rector, it was discovered that they were not true as governnent found him eminently qualified for the post, given his pedigree and sterling leadership qualities.
Bello praised the Rector for his achievements within the short time he assumed the mantle of the leadership of the Polytechnic, noting that most of the academic programmes of the institution had been accredited, coupled with Improved educational and infrastructural development the Polytechnic had so far recorded.
Earlier in his speech, Dr. Usman said that he was hated by some people, because he stood his ground for truth and for supporting the administration of Bello , having found the governor and his government to mean well for all and sundry in the state.
He described the governor as an individual with kind heart to all who stood by him in his dire hour of assistance when his brother faced serious health challenge.
According to him, though his brother passed on, despite efforts to safe his life, the governor’s financial assistance remains indelible in his mind and will do everything possible to support his administration to succeed.
He also commended Bello for the giant strides he had achieved for the state, particularly in the area of infrastructural and educational development.
Usman said that he had sanitised and improved academic activities, instilled culture of discipline and hardwork among the students and members of staff as well as carried out many infrastructural development in the Polytechnic.
He thanked members of the various strata of the society, including politicians, top governnent functionaries, academics, traditional rulers, business community,women and students, who turned up at the event to honour.
Usman promised not to betray the confidence the state government, the Polytechnic community and the people of the state reposed in him in the discharge of his responsibility to the institution.
Our Correspondent reports that highlights of the occasion were the presentation of two books,gifts and cutting of cake in honour of the celebrant.
