By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, has called on leaders at all levels to embrace accountability and subject themselves to public scrutiny in the discharge of their duties.
Prof. Usman made this call during a press conference on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of his first tenure as Rector, which spanned from February 12, 2021, to February 11, 2025. His second tenure is set to commence on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
Reiterating the importance of transparency and probity in leadership, Prof. Usman attributed the significant infrastructural and academic achievements of his first tenure to focused leadership and prudent resource management, for which he willingly subjected himself to public scrutiny.
Highlighting his accomplishments over the past four years, the Professor of Political Science announced that all 57 programs offered by the institution had received full accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). He added that 19 of these programs were introduced under his leadership. The Polytechnic also now boasts a fully functional library, which he described as one of the best among polytechnics in Nigeria.
On infrastructural development, the Rector introduced the 3R-Mission—Repair, Reform, and Restore—to address infrastructural gaps and revive the institution’s lost glory. Under his leadership, projects such as the construction of a security house, the upgrade of the health centre, the development of an academic complex, and the establishment of a studio for the School of Art and Design were completed.
To ensure quality assurance and academic excellence, Prof. Usman noted that the institution had implemented several measures aimed at strengthening academic standards and improving service delivery. These measures included introducing a new statement of results template with enhanced security features and certificates fortified with QR codes.
In terms of security, the Rector outlined comprehensive measures implemented to safeguard both campuses. These included effective intelligence gathering, the construction of a befitting security building, installation of CCTV cameras, provision of communication gadgets, and the deployment of security patrol vehicles. Additionally, 100 solar streetlights, provided by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, were installed, and regular bush clearing was maintained to improve campus safety.
Other security initiatives included decentralizing the security structure, banning end-of-semester celebrations and tribal student association activities, recruiting more qualified security personnel, and fostering collaboration with security agencies. Prof. Usman revealed that these measures helped the institution avert 107 security threats between May 2020 and January 2025.
The Rector expressed gratitude to God for life and the accomplishments of his first tenure. He also thanked former Governor Yahaya Bello for appointing him despite significant odds and appreciated Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for granting him a second tenure.