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By Abu Michael.
The statement by Greek historian Polybius once that “your good legacy as an administrator will reverberate down the ages, and will continue to earn you good name,” rings true in the case of Dr Salisu Usman Ogbo, Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, who will turn 50, 26th October, 2022.
Dr. Ogbo is in a class of his own when it comes to public service, and the persona he created in the few years he has served as Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja will remain ever green in the minds and hearts of the people of Kogi State who are attracted to him on the account of revolution he has brought in the institution of learning, that was once regarded as a glorified secondary school, through good Leadership and people-oriented policies that has direct impact on the day to day running of the Polytechnic.
Similarly, for a man who is Golden, Dr. Ogbo has demonstrated in many ways since assuming office as the helmsman of the Polytechnic over two year ago that his reputation in the department of Political Science, Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba was not a fluke. He has in a short period in office as Rector, turned the citadel of learning in Lokoja, the most vibrant and result oriented tertiary institution in the State with his administrative activism.
Dr. Ogbo is not a run of the mill public administrator, he is one with a mission anchored on sound understanding of public office as a call to service. This zeal and ardour to make a difference, quality which he had cultivated as a young undergraduate down to the time he was a Senior lecturer in University of Ilorin and later Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba have not diminished but rather has received fresh fire which can be seen in the turnaround we have in the Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja as Rector. More importantly, he is described as the best friend and most appreciated Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja has ever had by the students.
Dr. Ogbo was appointed by Gov. Yahaya Bello for the job against all odd with many predicting that he was bound to fail. However, years down the line, when counting the gains, Dr. Ogbo has proven his critics wrong. For a man referred by his critics as an alledge cultist then, without mincing words, he has brought the desired revolution, making Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, now rank as one of the most prized Polytechnics in Nigeria, in quality of learning and improved infrastructure.
Permit me to quote Dr. Ogbo in his speech at an event on 10th September, 2020 when he made it clear that: ” Management under my leadership has a cardinal commitment to building an institution that is: open, transparent and consultative in decision making; accommodative to all irrespective of ethnic, religious and social affiliations (where every member of staff and students would first and foremost see themselves as Kogites and as staff and students of the Polytechnic before thinking of their background); a centre of academic and entrepreneurial excellence; a producer of graduates that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their counterparts anywhere in the world; a network-oriented institution that is substantially reliant on ICT and the attendant e-governance, e-learning, e-examination, e-result computation, e-payment and e-security, among others.
A cursory look at the activities of this enigma called Dr. Ogbo. It is important to State that with the tremendous support and encouragement from Gov. Bello, and working tirelessly to ensure the actualization of those lofty goals. Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, now a work in progress, remains the envy of Management, Staff and Students, with graduates of the institution, priding themselves in work places and wherever they find themselves, thus meeting with the cardinal commitments he made.
Thus far, the confidence and trust reposed on Dr. Ogbo by Gov. Bello has largely been justified in the cause of discharging his assignment. Amidst challenges, he has certainly proven that he is determined to do his best to create the environment that is in conformity with the governance vision Gov. Bello has for the people of the state, using the State Polytechnic as an example.
That Dr. Ogbo’s administration upgraded infrastructure in the Polytechnic is an understatement. A visit to the citadel of learning, would confirm that, Dr. Ogbo who would no doubt be celebrated across the globe for his deep penetrating achievements has changed the face of Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, with Gov. Bello at a public function, described him as the face of his administration.
It is important to place on record that in the early part of 2022, Dr. Ogbo while addressing the media at a function disclosed that unknown persons were trying to assassinate him, and that he and his team had been the target of several attacks, said that he would not be intimidated.
Dr. Ogbo, has changed the face of administration in the State Polytechnic Lokoja. He has brought dynamism and determination in ensuring that the right thing can be done when the environment and leadership are upright and committed.
A look at the life and times of Dr. Ogbo, certainly will shock you that he was not born with a silver spoon. He rose through the ladder, with hardwork and dedication to duty and ensuring that any assignment given to him is accomplished with the precision of light and accuracy.
Looking at the success story of Dr. Ogbo at the State Polytechnic, It has truly shown that Gov. Bello made the right choice by choosing an exemplary leaders.
His milestone legacies that would outlive him, has made Dr. Ogbo to have received numerous awards, accolades, commendation from different institutions who in sincerity recognizes his exemplary leadership.
A recipient of many Merit Award, Dr. Ogbo’s leadership acumen has made him to be honoured with grade A awards Nationally and Internationally, a confirmation, that he is truly a natural and born leader, marked out to do exploits like he is presently doing.
On assumption, major challenges Dr. ogbo’s leadership in the State Polytechnic tackled was the challenge of stepping on toes of some persons, who over the years have been cheating the system tremendously before he stepped in as the Rector of the Institution.
Like a bull, Dr. Ogbo’s leadership reforms, fought hard to destabilize the system by changing the old order. This he did for the sake of students and the system, posterity and the overall corporate good image of the Institution.
A few of the endemic issues Dr. Ogbo was made to correct include sad narratives of writing examination outside the school campus. The reforms in this direction seemed to have paid off Today. For Dr. Ogbo, the reason why this monster had to be fought to a standstill are not far fetched if the graduates from the institution need to compete favourably with her other counterparts.
The Rector has no doubt changed the narratives in the people’s acceptability of the quality of certificates issued by the Polytechnic. This has changed for the better with the discovery and bursting of examination “magic centres” outside the campus of the State Polytechnic.
It is important to State that Dr. Ogbo, graduated from KSP over twenty-five year, has equally brought to an end the forging of results syndrome associated with the institution, act that was tarnishing the credibility of results and certificates of Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja.
Other reforms by Dr Ogbo, was the efforts that saw to an end to stealing and illegal issuing of the polytechnic’s receipts by some fraudulent members of staff who were milking the system dry.
Until recently, the institution prides itself of having 100% full accreditation of all her courses. Furthermore, nder his Leadership, over 300 persons were duely employed.
The fear of Dr. Ogbo which has seen equally to an end in cultism and insecurity in the Campuses of the State Polytechnic is said to be the beginning of wisdom. With an internal security apparatus, cultist who try to show there ugly heads are daily apprehended through a quick and proactive steps.
Another breakthrough made by Dr. Ogbo’s leadership in the Polytechnic is the curbing of the danger of religious sects on campus, ban of illegal sales of textbooks, incitement of students by few elements amongst staff, efforts that has placed the institution on a sound pedestal.
At 50 and as Rector Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, Dr. Ogbo has truly kept to his words when he said his primary responsibility would be to leave a positive mark that posterity will be proud of.
From all intent and purposes, Dr. Ogbo has remained focused and unweivering. He has painstakingly shown that he is determined to pursue clearly his stated goals on assumption, which remains the game changer as he has made the desired positive impacts.
At 50, Dr. Ogbo’s name is a major part of the positive success story of Kogi State Polytechnic. This again is not an exaggeration. The Ankpa Born administrator per excellence, is certainly the builder of the modern day State Polytechnic. He is overwhelmingly the positive story of Kogi State Polytechnic, when juxtaposed with his legacies.
As we celebrate Dr. Ogbo at 50, there is no gainsaying the fact that the dynamic leadership role Dr. Ogbo has played in shaping the history of the Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, leaving behind lasting legacies of investment in people and infrastructure would keep memories of his services fresh and commendable.
The initiative and reforms that Dr. Ogbo has instituted in KSP, is borne out of his passion for a purposeful, result oriented and motivated tertiary institution that places quality assurance first, would remain indelible in the minds of the people as he turns 50.
While recognizing the arduous task before Dr. Ogbo, striving for sustainability is what should agitate the minds of the people, believing that the same patriotism and diligence that Dr. Ogbo has displayed over many years in the academia and in the years to come will continue to yield results.
It is my prayers for God to in his infinate mercies, grant the Rector, KSP, more courage, strength and wisdom as he serves Nigeri, Kogi State..
