By Correspondent in Lokoja .
L-R:The award recipient presenting his award to the Rector of the Polytechnic.
An ex student of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Mr. Onivehu Musa Habeeb, has been honoured with a Presidential NYSC Award.
Uredo Omale,Director, Public Relations and Protocol,
Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, disclosed this in a statement she signed and sent to The Reporters on Saturday
The joyous recipient,Omale said ,dedicated the award to the institution in recognition of the role his alma mater played in shaping his character and nurturing his academic excellence.
She said:”Habeeb, an indigene of Ihima in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State, earned his National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy in 2016 and 2021 respectively.
“He was posted to Borno state for his one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Yelwa Local GovernmentArea, where he served at the Borno Investment Company Limited.
“Mr. Habeeb demonstrated zeal for selflessness and launched impactful community-driven projects that earned him the national recognition.
“His notable projects include the “Operation Light Up Your Environment” initiative, through which he facilitated the installation of solar streetlights in Yelwa community that had long lived in darkness. ”
According to her, the NYSC Presidential Awardee also organized his Community Development Service (CDS) group for a sanitation exercise at the GSM Village in the same community , directly addressing environmental and public health concerns.
These impactful, community-driven interventions earned him national recognition, culminating in his selection for the prestigious “President’s NYSC Honours Award”, in acknowledgment of his outstanding performance and exemplary service during the service year, the director said.
While presenting the award to the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman at the Polytechnic’s main campus in Lokoja on Friday 1st August, 2025, Habeeb stated that the award and recognition were not only for him but for the Polytechnic, for giving him the platform not only to study Accountancy but also for moulding his character towards selflessness and dedicated service.
He paid special tribute to the leadership of the Department of Accountancy and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dr. (Mrs.) Ruth Haruna, Dean of the School of Management Studies, whom he described as a great pillar who guided him throughout his academic journey at the Polytechnic.
Responding,the Rector, who was visibly excited about Habeeb’s national recognition, noted that the award recipient has joined the growing list of alumni of the institution who have extolled the values and virtues for which Kogi State Polytechnic stands.
Professor Usman described the award as a clear manifestation of Habeeb’s hard work, resilience and dedication which he said were worthy of emulation.
The Rector commended the award recipient for distinguishing himself as a proud ambassador of Kogi State Polytechnic, who identified challenges within his immediate environment and provided solutions that serve the greater good of humanity.
Professor Usman, who also commended Habeeb’s courage to drive positive change in society, pledged to recommend him for recognition by the Kogi State Government.
He emphasized that the honor was not influenced by religion or ethnicity, but rather by Habeeb’s unwavering commitment to nation-building; a core objective of the NYSC scheme.
Professor Usman, however, enjoined other alumni of the Polytechnic to shun all forms of parochial sentiments capable of causing division in society.
Principal Officers, Management and Academic Board members of the Polytechnic witnessed the occasion.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
