By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja has matriculated 6,387 students into different programmes run by the eight schools of the institution with a stance on zero-tolerance for social vices.
Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman, disclosed this at the 30th Orientation/Matriculation ceremony of the 2022/2023 Academic Session at the institution’s Matriculation Ground on Thursday in Lokoja.
The Polytechnic Rector said that a total of 4,786 National Diploma I (ND-I) and 1,601 Higher National Diploma I (HND-I) students were formally admitted into various programmes of the Polytechnic.
He said that on the academic front, the institution had strengthened the credibility of its existing programmes as evidenced in their full accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
“We have also steadily and meticulously continued our programme expansion in line with the needs of our stakeholders and the core values of Polytechnic Education”, he said.
Among other developments in the Polytechnic, Dr Usman said the institution had been able to commence programmes in the School of Agricultural Technology at its Itakpe campus.
It also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Space Research and Development Authority (NASRDA) for the purpose of ensuring effective and efficient training of students in Mechatronics and Aerospace Engineering Technology.
He also enthusiastically announced the establishment of a Department of Mass Communication in the institution in the current session saying it was being housed by the School of General and Communication Studies.
“I am proud and happy to announce that the first set of students admitted into the programme are being matriculated today”, he did and specifically welcomed the new Mass Communication students into the Polytechnic.
The Rector however cautioned the matriculating students against indulgence in social vices saying that the institution had zero-tolerance for all forms social vices and criminal activities.
The vices, according to him include cultism, gun-running, examination malpractices, alcoholism, unhealthy social gatherings, cyber crimes, incitement to violence, gangsterism, misuse and distribution of school property, stealing, and indecent dressing among others.
Dr Usman said indiscipline, poor academic performance, unruly behaviour and insubordination were highly forbidden in the institution adding that the Polytechnic would not award its certificate to any student who is deficient in character and in learning.
Earlier in a lecture titled, “Dress Code and Moral Values”, Dr Joel Akowe said man’s daily interactions and actions were conducted in one form or the other and portrayed through dressing and moral values.
He said that the Polytechnic had its dress code as an identity to which the students must adhered adding, “When we belong to an institution, we must conform to the norms of that institution.”
In his goodwill message, Mr Wemi Jones, Kogi State Commissioner for Education, commended the Rector for his achievements since he emerged the Chief Executive Officer of the Polytechnic.
According to him, under the present leadership, the Polytechnic has witnessed a tremendous progress saying that the state under the present dispensation was paying particular attention to Science and Technical Education.
Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja, (FUL); Provost, Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa; Commissioner of Police; Commander, Command Army Records, Lokoja among others gave their goodwill messages at the occasion. (Ends)