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All through my primary and secondary education in Ankpa, the Local Government of my birth, I never had the opportunity or privilege of visiting any city outside Ankpa, because I did not have anyone to visit during the holidays like my mates.
The first ever opportunity I had was in 1995 after my secondary education, when I met my aunty in Ankpa market who just returned from Lokoja.
Our brief conversation and assurances prompted me to apply for admission to Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, in 1995.
My first ever out-of-base settlement was the Staff Quarters of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, in 1995, when I was brought to the then Chairman, Kogi State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Ahmadu Ali Negedu, of blessed memory, who was my aunty’s husband.
I eventually became a student and member of the Pioneer Set of IJMBE students at the Osara Campus of the Polytechnic in 1995/96.
The picture below which was sent to me today by my bossom friend Tairu Momoh reminds me of my humble beginning and destiny path with the Polytechnic.
In fact, what you see in the picture is what can best be described as hardship hidden under some smiles; part of our usual ‘merriment’ after eating ‘Eba’ with Garri soup as we finished our final examination. In fact, it was not funny!
In spite of it all, we ate, laughed and danced as members of our code named “Aso Rock hostel”, which was originally a mini fertilizer depot of the Kogi State Agricultural Development Project (ADP).
But has destiny a pleasantly funny way! Little did I know that 25 years after, I will be lucky to be appointed from amongst these youngsters as Rector of the same Polytechnic.
Standing from left is my humble self, Anthony Abutu is standing from the Right followed by my bossom friend Tairu Momoh . Musa Enebi of blessed memory stood next to Tairu. I can also see Pascal and others who I can’t readily recall
I owe every gratitude to my destiny helper who himself is a man of destiny, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, whom Almighty Allah used in fulfilling this historic moment of destiny.
All glory to Almighty Allah, the decider of all human destinies.
Chief Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, FCIA, FABEN
Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
