Kogi Poly: Success story of Dr Usman Ogbo’s 100 days in office

From the infrastructural development that has been triggered within a 100 days so far by the Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Dr. Usman Ogbo, it’s no gainsaying that the institution is being managed by a competent hand.

The development, and other reforms in the Polytechnic within these days is unarguably, a pointer and a sign of good days ahead and if sustained, the lost glory of the Polytechnic would be recovered soon. One is surprised that at a time the society is riddled with economic challenge borne out of social and health malaise, that such good and rare development could happen in Kogi State.

Kogi State Polytechnic, of course like other educational institutions in the State remains the centre and central to manpower development for the teeming youths within and outside the State, hence, Dr Ogbo’s focus on building facilities as well as strengthening all the departments and repositioning the Polytechnic to be among the top best in Nigeria would be a welcome development.

What is sacrosanct, therefore, is the needed cooperation of management staff and students of the Polytechnic for the Rector to build an institution that will be the pride of the State. As at today, a lot need to be done in the institution, considering the peculiarity of the State with regards to the Federal Government’s determination to resuscitate the Ajaokuta Iron and Steel and the installation of gas pipeline which was flagged off by the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello last week. The Polytechnic will definitely have to train the manpower needed for the projects.

That’s why the modest achievements of Dr. Usman Ogbo since 7th April, 2020 is a welcome development that should be celebrated by all. It’s also laudable that the Governor, Yahaya Bello has provided the needed resources for the Acting Rector to give the institution the face lift.

Moreso, we look forward to see resources meet determination to make the Polytechnic one of the best. This is because an investment in education is an investment that fastens development in any society, hence, more resources should be made available for execution of projects in the institution.

It’s interesting to list the modest achievements 100 days at this point for record purposes and future accountability viz:

1. Building of a model security house. This is against the 3 – room cubicle we inherited.

2. Restructuring and remodeling of the old Library Complex to a 30 bed Medical Centre. This is a sharp departure from the present 3 bed clinic.

3. Facelift, cleanliness and general beautification of the campus especially the entrance gate and the outer wall.

4. Floor overlay and re – fixing of the chairs in the 500 seats Lecture Theatre

5. General drainage, erosion control and maintenance on the campuses.

6. Restoration of internet services to the campus after over 5 years of non existence.

7. Adoption and replication of the Ebigo agenda philosophy in appointment and other responsibilities.

8. Provision of railing and demolition of identified cultists centre known as the “Notorious Pipeline Line” and blockage of multiple entrance to the campus as part of our security measures.

9. Committee system and collective decision approach to governance.

10. Production of the maiden Annual Report (2018/2019) for the Polytechnic.

11. Review of Student Information Handbook

12. Payment of some inherited internally accumulated arrears for staff after thorough review

13. Extension of electricity to the School of Management Studies and Enterpreneuship Centre.

14. Creation of the first ever Legal Unit in the Polytechnic.

15. Creation of four (4) Directorates (Advancement, Support and Linkages, Information Technology and Resources Centre, SERVICOM and Sports).

16. E – learning train the trainers and commencement of e – learning on the campuses.

17. Payment of inherited electricity bill and improvement in the supply of electricity to the campus.

18. Review and proper regulation of staff quarters allocation for transparency

19. Discovery and encouragement of internally sourced experts to handle assignments such as building, renovation and fabrication from the relevant Departments in the Polytechnic.

20. Changing of the template of our STATEMENT OF RESULTS with fortified security features such as barcode to prevent forgery.

21. Renovation of the dilapidated LT A & B.

22. Six (6) new TETFUND sponsored building projects on going simultaneously on our campuses.

23. Purchase of two (2) busses for SUG.

24. Aggressive efforts for renovation of the existing hostels and building of new ones through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

While we commend the Acting Rector for his commitment so far, he should further take steps to introduce relevant courses that are non existent in the Polytechnic, even as the society is changing by the day.

Like he has addressed the menace of cultism; effort should be sustained to ensure that there shouldn’t be a resurgence of it and given the fact that he was coming from the Kogi State University, one is not in doubt of his capacity to totally rid the Polytechnic of cultists.