By Friday Idachaba
Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Dr Salisu Ogbo-Usman has charged students of the Polytechnic to shun all forms of criminality and vices that can give the state a bad name and affect their stay in the polytechnic.
The Rector gave the charge on Thursday during the matriculation ceremony of 6,216 students into various programmes of the institution for the 2021/2022 academic session.
He charged them to concentrate on their studies and ensure that they shun all vices, for a bright and meaningful future.
Ogbo Usman revealed that a total of 5, 229 students of National Diploma (ND1) and 987 Higher National Diploma (HND1) students were matriculating.
According to him, they were of the School of Art, Design and Printing, School of Management Studies, School of Engineering, School of Environmental Technology and School of Part-time and Vocational Studies of the Polytechnic.
The Rector reiterated the need for the new students to prioritize their studies and cautioned them against cultism, indecent dressing, religious bigotry, examination malpractice, alcoholism, unhealthy social gatherings, cyber crimes among others.
According to him “Within the ambience of our value for academic excellence, creativity, and self-reliance, you have unlimited opportunities to explore and succeed in any virtuous endeavour.
“While you enjoy these opportunities, it should be noted that the Institution has zero tolerance for all forms of social vices such as cultism, gun-running, examination malpractice.
“Alcoholism, unhealthy social gatherings, cyber crimes, incitement to violence, gangsterism, misuse and destruction of school property, stealing and indecent dressing.
“We want to reiterate that while noble acts attract rewards, all vices will be met with heavy sanctions.
“You should endeavour to obtain, read and digest the revised edition of the students’ information handbook that will be distributed through your respective departments.
“Ignorance of the law has no place in this school and will not be condoned.
“Indiscipline, poor academic performance, unruly behaviour and insubordination are highly forbidden in this institution.
“You are therefore expected to exhibit high sense of discipline while in the polytechnic, as the institution will not award its certificates to students that are deficient in character and learning.
“Cultism is completely forbidden on our campus, all the visible and invisible security architectures of the polytechnic placed in so many strategic places have preventive mechanisms to deal with cultists, their sympathizers and their sponsors.
“Students are advised to stay safe and free from all cult-related lifestyles. Students are also advised to report any move intended to intimidate, lure them into or enlist them in cultism from any quarters to the security unit”, he advised.
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