By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
In a sweeping decision aimed at strengthening academic excellence, discipline and institutional integrity, the Governing Council of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has approved the promotion of 583 staff members, including the elevation of 11 Principal Lecturers to the rank of Chief Lecturer, while also sanctioning three staff members over misconduct.
Uredo Omale, Director of Public Relations and Protocol of the Polytechnic disclosed this in a statement she signed and made available to The Reporters in Lokoja on Sunday.
The approvals were part of far-reaching resolutions reached at the 72nd Regular Meeting of the Governing Council, presided over by its Chairman, Barr. Sani Shaibu, held on Friday at the Polytechnic’s Council Chamber in Lokoja.
According to the Council’s decisions, 11 Principal Lecturers were promoted to the rank of Chief Lecturer based on the recommendations of the Appointments, Promotions and Disciplinary Committee (AP&DC).
Those elevated include; Mr. Ehimony James Baba Tunde and Mrs. Ajayi Omolola Felicia of the School of Applied Sciences; Engr. Anikoh Godwin Ateiza of the School of Engineering Technology; Dr. Acharu Faith Tony-Okeme and Dr. Raji Abdulwasiu Adeyemi of the School of Management Studies; Mrs. Akinola Hope Ojochide, Mrs. Olayiwola Grace Eleojo and Mr. Aminu Fasasi Olanrewaju of the School of General and Communication Studies;.
Others are Mr. Boluromi Samuel Sunday and Mr. Salawu Abdulazeez of the School of Preliminary Studies; and Arc. Dr. Thompson Ochedi Ekele of the School of Environmental Technology.
In addition, Council approved the promotion of 49 academic staff and 71 non-teaching staff for the 2024 promotion exercise and okayed the promotion of 225 academic staff and 227 non-teaching staff for the 2025 exercise, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 572 staff across academic and administrative cadres.
On disciplinary matters, the Governing Council approved the demotion of Mr. Audu Mathew, a Deputy Registrar, to the rank of Principal Assistant Registrar for negligence of duty and terminated the appointment of Mr. Mukhtar Muhammed, an Administrative Officer II, over allegations of sexual molestation.
Similarly, the appointment of Mrs. Funmilayo Afolabi, an Assistant Chief Executive Officer, was terminated for absconding from duty for nine months.
Earlier, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, expressed appreciation to members of the Governing Council for their commitment and consistent support, describing their attendance as a testament to their dedication to the institution’s growth and stability.
Prof. Usman also lauded the Visitor to the Polytechnic and Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for providing an enabling environment that has enhanced academic stability, infrastructural development and effective governance within the institution.
Highlighting recent achievements of the management, the Rector listed the prompt release of students’ results, improved campus security, payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions to eligible staff, and the provision of a new borehole to boost water supply within the Polytechnic.
He further informed Council of the exposure of a result forgery syndicate involving one Mr. Henry Tope, who was apprehended with 30 Statements of Result and an original certificate bearing the Polytechnic’s name and insignia.
The Rector announced the appointment of the Polytechnic’s Deputy Registrar (Senior Establishment), Mrs. Glory Ojochogwu Yakubu, as the substantive Registrar of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara.
In his remarks, Barr.Sani Shaibu commended the Polytechnic’s management for its commitment to discipline, transparency and academic standards, stressing that the Council would not tolerate any act capable of undermining the institution’s integrity.
He assured that the 10th Governing Council would continue to provide policy direction and support to reposition Kogi State Polytechnic as a centre of excellence, while urging staff to uphold professional ethics and strictly adhere to institutional rules in the discharge of their duties.
