How parent reacts as kogi poly expels son—Rector

Dr.Salisu Ogbo Usman,
Rector,Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.

By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.

A parent has written to the management of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, thanking them for expelling his son who indulged in anti-social activity in the institution.

Our Correspondent reports that the commendation came as the authorities of the Polytechnic intensify efforts to guard against cultism and other conducts not in conformity with the set norms and standards of the Polytechnic.

The Reporters recalls that the current management of the polytechnic, headed by Dr.Salisu Ogbo Usman had earlier read riot act to the students, warning them to eschew cultism, examination malpractice among other social vices or face wrath of the management.

The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, who did not give the identity of the parent concerned,made the disclosure in Lokoja in his speech at the 30th Orientation/Matriculation Ceremony of the institution.

Usman,who digressed from his speech to give an insight into the issue, said that the action of the parent was a radical departure from the past in the institution.

According to him,the said student was one of the bag eggs among his colleagues interms of conduct, adding that when all efforts were made to reform him proved abortive,he was expelled.

Returning to his speech,he expressed the avowed determination of the Polytechnic to continue the fight against cultism and other vices among students, adding that kogi poly had zero tolerance for any form of anti-social activity.

He told 6,387 students that matriculated at the occasion that “act of cultism is completely forbidden on our campus.”

Usman expressed confidence in the ability of all visible and invisible security architectures of the Polytechnic,placed in so many strategic places to serve as preventive mechanisms to deal with cultists , their sympathisers and sponsors.

He advised the students to ensure they stay safe and free from all cult-related lifestyles and report any move intended to intimidate or lure them into or enlist them in cultism, from any quarters, to the security unit of the Polytechnic.

According to the Rector, the polytechnic encouraged students to be sterling examples of what moral discipline is.

On the code of dressing in the institution, Usman advised the students to dress modestly and in accordance with the acceptable standards.

He, however,warned that:” Undue exposure of body parts is considered provocative to the sensibilities of others,and will be severely delt with.

“Kogi State Polytechnic does not tolerate any act of religious fanaticism or religious intolerance of any form. Any incitement to religious violence and disharmony on this campus with be met with official sanction.

To the matriculated students, the Rector stressed that they were being prepared to “experience the formative fervour of the institution, adding, ” l implore you to use this opportunity to make your parents, your society and your instruction proud.”

He said that the Polytechnic had continued to create conducive atmosphere for learning for the students in many ways.

This,he added, would enable the students “explore possibilities beyond simply sitting for examination and acquiring paper qualifications.”

Usman said:” Today, students can boast of the best affordable hostels ever in the history of this polytechnic. This was after our intervention on the renovation of the buildings that was stalled. We have also made it more affordable by reviewing downward,the fees for the hostel accommodation for more students to benefit from our enduring intervention.

“The Polytechnic has a developed, spacious and well-equipped library complex for studies and research convenience,” among other efforts.

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology,Mr Wemi Jones, expressed the resolve of the state government to remain committed to science and technical education.

He said in this regard, the state government had built GYB Model Science Secondary school at Adankolo in Lokoja, adding that efforts were on to revamp the four technical schools in the state.

According to him, this is to feed the Polytechnic and other technical and science based higher institutions,in and outside the shores of the state,with adequate number of students to pursue technical and science incline disciplines.

Contributing, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja, FUL,Prof.OlayemiAkimwumi also advised the students to shun “undue radicalism” in preference for serious commitment to their study, for them to graduate with excellent results and contribute to the development of the state and the country at large.

Our Correspondent reports that the major content of the various good will messages at the occasion centred on the need for students to shun cultism and other social vices and commit their energy, squarely,to their studies in order to come out with flying colours at the end of their stay in the institution.

Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the new students for matriculation led in their oath taking by their Deans.