Kogi Polytechnic to convocate 12,080 at 4th Combined Convocation

****Rectors says task of Repairing, Reforming, Repositioning institution is work in progress.

Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

KOGI State Polytechnic, Lokoja, is set to formally confer National Diploma and Higher National Diplomas on 12,080 graduands of the institution at its 4th Convocation Ceremony billed for Saturday in Lokoja.

Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman disclosed this at the 4th Convocation Press Briefing delivered at the 200-capacity twin lecture theatre of the Polytechnic on Thursday in Lokoja.

Dr Usman (Ogbo) said that at the 4th Convocation, students who concluded their courses of instructions, met all the requirements and are deemed worthy both in “Character and Learning” as approved by the Academic Board, would be honoured.

He described the 4th convocation ceremony as an occasion to showcase outcomes of months and years of intense research, teaching and learning in the last 10 years adding that prior to this, the Polytechnic had successfully organized three convocation ceremonies.

“The last was in 2014. This suggests that we are organizing the 4th combined convocation ceremonies for the 2013/2014, 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 sets of graduands.

“This explains that, since 2015, we have not been able to hold Convocation for our graduands. By the special grace of God, the Convocation is finally here”, he said and applauded Governor Yahaya Bello for making it possible.

Ogbo declared that a total of 249 students would be graduating with Distinctions from various Schools and Departments at the National and Higher National Diploma (ND/HND) levels with 145 at ND and 104 students at HND levels

He said that a total of 7,653 students are graduating with National Diploma in various programmes while a total of 4,427 students are graduating with Higher National Diploma in various programmes.

According to the Rector, the task of Repairing, Reforming, Repositioning institution is work in progress and all must continue to give and contribute their quota selflessly so as to leave behind a legacy that posterity will be proud of.

Dr Ogbo said that as part of measures taken to strengthen the culture of academic excellence and improve the quality of academic services in the institution, the Polytechnic introduced new Statement of Results format and fortified its Original Certificates.

He said that the newly Introduction E-Examination with Results Computation and E-Payment had resulted in prompt release of results on semester basis, enabling students to check their academic status anywhere in the world and blocked revenue leakages in the system.

The Rector also mentioned as part of the measures, strengthening regulation against indiscriminate production and sales of textbooks on the Campus by empowering the Committee in charge with far more latitude to oversee, deliberate and make recommendations that would lead to the production of quality textbooks for students.

Introduction and inauguration of the Academic Board Central Results Verification Committee headed by the Deputy Rector and with all Deans and representatives of each School as members also came in board.

“The Committee has the mandate to carefully and painstakingly verify results submitted by Departments and Schools and make recommendations to Academic Board for final consideration and approval.

The measure has substantially minimised errors in approved results, as the Committee devotes enough time to the consideration and scrutiny of the results and saved time and resources usually spent by the Board in considering the results.

The Rector also mention the production of Maiden Annual Report for the Polytechnic to serve as a guide to reflect on our past, gauge on the present and project into the future as another milestone attained under his leadership.

Dr Ogbo stressed that aside tackling the issue of insecurity headlong, the institution addressed issue of understaffing through the support of the State Government under Governor Yahaya Bello.

“We will continue to appreciate His Excellency for the great honour and for his magnanimity in spite of the lean resources at his disposal”, he said. (Ends)