It has always been my utmost desire to holistically write on topical issues such as this, especially where justice is raped and suddenly comes a man with the audacity and courage to dare, no matter whose ox is gored without being blackmailed emotionally, provided that justice is established and sharp practices are discouraged, most importantly, in our tertiary institution.
No doubt, the idea behind state and institutional building and reformation in Nigeria has always been characterized by fallacies and insincere commitments to leadership by those with the opportunity to champion the course of moving the doldrums of destabilizing challenges threatening every nook and cranny of our dear Kogi State Polytechnic.
Whilst successive rectors of the institution (Kogi State Polytechnic) have tried to address most of the reoccurring issues that border on sexual harassment and victimization of students, extortions from students, falsification of records, abscondment, gross misconduct, and unethical engagements by her staff, they are at times sabotaged by men of influence at the helm of state affairs.
Given the prevalent issues as highlighted, God gave His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello the wisdom of appointing Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, a no-nonsense administrator and Academia, who hitherto was wrongly accused until he began the process of repairing, reforming, and restoring the lost glory of our dear Kogi State Polytechnic.
On the assumption of responsibility, the institution saw in a single man courage, audacity to dare, simplicity, commitments, dedication, and capacity building.
He espouses the idea of having an interface with the staff and frankly warns whoever is found wanton of any sharp practices, sexual harassment and victimization of students, extortions from students, falsification of records, abscondment, gross misconduct, and unethical engagements to face the full wrath of the law.
While some took caution, others felt it was not possible because of those at the state affairs department that they relied on. Unfortunately for them, the confidence reposed in him by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, was for him to redress the ugly reoccurrence at Kogi State Polytechnic.
You will agree that lately there seems to have been a drastic reduction of sharp practices and extortions by the staff of the Polytechnic.
You will also agree that there’s a high level of seriousness amongst students of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, because of the non-tolerance for poor performance, cults, and theft-related issues.
Not also forgetting the total reduction of truancy amongst staff and no compulsory sale of textbooks to the students.
Without prejudice, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman’s “audacity to dare” is clearly not about him trying to hold power for self-aggrandizement, but about him heralding projects, executing them, and allowing our students to learn conducively; ensuring quality assurance while training the non-teaching and teaching staff of the Polytechnic on the dos and don’ts of the institution as contained in the condition and scheme of service, Kogi State Polytechnic.
Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman’s “audacity to dare” has broken the lingering cords of sharp practices, religious and ethnic chauvinism, abscondment, sexual harassment, poor performances of students, extortions, falsification of records, and unethical engagements.
This was the reason the Governing Council of the Polytechnic gave him a “Letter of Commendation,” and he has been severally praised by His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza, for exemplifying leadership, hope, courage, competence, credibility, selflessness, audacity to dare, transparency, integrity, positive rebellion, and being an agent of positive change, which are the fundamental criteria for leadership positioning in Nigeria.
Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman is one man the society is looking up to because of his proven records, personality, and achievements.
I therefore appreciate His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, for providing the enablement for entrenching reforms by not interfering in the internal administration of the polytechnic.
I also wish other heads of tertiary institutions and other persons saddled with positions of responsibility and leadership would imbibe Dr. Usman’s “strategic” to achieve greatness and success in their fields of endeavor.
That way, we will have a more developed and secure Kogi State and Nigeria in general.
– Abdulkadir Bin ABDULMALIK, A seasoned political analyst, and writes from Lokoja, Kogi State.