Kogi Poly Graduates Over 6,824 Students from 25 States

,,,,, Confers Fellowship on Gov. Ododo, Late Prince Abubakar Audu, Maigari of Lokoja, Others.

By Dada Ahmed, Lokoja.

No fewer than 6,824 students drawn from 25 states of the federation graduated on Saturday during the 5th Combined Convocation Ceremony of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.

Speaking at the 1,000-seat Lecture Theatre of the institution, the outgoing Rector, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, who disclosed this, described the ceremony as a significant milestone in the Polytechnic’s educational development and growth.

Prof. Usman, who has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of the state-owned Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, commended the Kogi State Government for its unwavering support, which he said contributed immensely to the achievements recorded during his six-year tenure.

He noted that the support of the state government enabled his administration to implement key reforms and infrastructural upgrades that strengthened academic standards and staff welfare.

Highlighting some of his achievements, the outgoing Rector listed the installation of CCTV cameras across the Polytechnic, to check insecurity,the payment of all outstanding salaries and arrears, and the successful accreditation of all academic programmes.

He also mentioned the prompt payment of salaries and other emoluments, the provision of bursaries to students, the renovation of hostels, and the restoration of students’ access to accommodation facilities, among other interventions.

Prof. Usman called on the state government to further support the institution through enhanced interventions, including the improvement of internal roads, provision of official vehicles for senior staff, and the construction of additional hostels to ease the administration of his successor, Prof. Sanusi Avidime.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by his deputy, Elders Salifu Oyibo, commended Prof.Usman his outstanding achievements , adding that his appointment as Vice Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University was due to his satisfactory performance in the management of the Polytechnic in the last six years.

Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering belief in education as the surest pathway to personal growth, institutional relevance and sustainable development, describing Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, as a strategic pillar in the state’s human capital development drive.

The governor said the gathering was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a reaffirmation of the collective resolve to use education as a tool for building a prosperous and competitive Kogi State.

He noted that the convocation provided an opportunity to reflect on the steady progress of the Polytechnic, particularly in the areas of academic regularity and institutional stability.

Recalling that as governor-elect he attended the 4th Combined Convocation where concerns were raised over the combination of ten graduating sets, Ododo expressed satisfaction that only two sets were combined this time.

He described the development as clear evidence of purposeful leadership, effective management and the entrenchment of academic discipline, commending the Governing Council and management for aligning the institution with the core governance agenda of his administration.

The governor congratulated the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 graduands for successfully completing their National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programmes, praising their perseverance and discipline.

He also acknowledged the sacrifices of parents and guardians, while assuring that the Polytechnic had equipped the graduands with relevant skills and competencies to thrive in a competitive and evolving world.

Ododo recalled the founding vision of the institution by the late Prince Abubakar Audu in 1992, noting that successive administrations had sustained and expanded that vision to make the Polytechnic a centre of technical education and skills acquisition.

Highlighting key interventions by his administration, the governor said education remained the most potent instrument for sustainable development, stressing the importance of uninterrupted academic calendars across tertiary institutions.

He listed investments at Kogi State Polytechnic to include improved infrastructure, enhanced security through solar-powered streetlights, fencing of the Itakpe Campus, installation of CCTV cameras, implementation of the new national minimum wage, health insurance coverage for staff and sustained bursary payments to students.

The governor also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the transformative impact of TETFund interventions in infrastructure, staff training and research.

Ododo expressed delight that all academic programmes of the Polytechnic enjoy full accreditation and that nineteen new core programmes have been introduced to address emerging societal and technological needs.

He particularly applauded the completion of the long-abandoned1,000-seat lecture theatre, describing it as a testament to accountability and continuity in governance.

While commending the outgoing Rector, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, and his predecessor, Professor Marietu Ohunene Tenuche, the governor urged the Polytechnic community to give maximum support to the new leadership.

He advised the graduands to be worthy ambassadors of the institution, as he reiterated his vision of transforming the Polytechnic into a hub of innovation and a reliable source of skilled manpower for Kogi State and Nigeria at large.

Highlight of the event was the conferment of the Polytechnic’s Fellowship on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, the first democratically elected of the state, Prince Abubakar Audu,His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Maikarfi IV,Hajiya Habibat Oyiza Tijani,the Accountant General of Kogi State,late Prof Mathew Idowu Ajibeto,former Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja and Prof Stephen Ikani Ovheni, former Minister of State For Labour and Employment.

The state cultural troupe thrilled by the audience with rich culture of Kogi State at the event.