Rector warns against cultism as Kogi poly matriculates 6,549 students

Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has sworn in 6,549 students for the 2024/2025 academic session, urging them to avoid vices that could jeopardise their academic journey in the institution.

The 32nd matriculation ceremony was held on Saturday at the main campus of the institution in Lokoja.

In his remarks, the Rector, Professor Salisu Ogbo, said the matriculating students comprised 3,708 for National Diploma and 2,841 for Higher National Diploma, spread across eight schools and 57 various programmes in the Polytechnic.

While congratulating the new students on their admission, the Rector warned that the institution has zero tolerance for all forms of social vices such as cultism, gun-running, examination malpractice, drug abuse, alcoholic addiction, unhealthy social gatherings, cybercrimes, incitement to violence, gangsterism, misuse and destruction of public property, stealing, indecent dressing, among others.

He advised, “My simple warning is for you to stay away from these vices to avoid running foul of the law. Any breach will attract appropriate penalties, including outright expulsion and prosecution.

“The Students’ Information Handbook that will be distributed to you through your respective departments will guide you on the dos and don’ts of the Polytechnic.

“Ignorance of the law has no place in the Polytechnic and will not be condoned. Let me particularly emphasize on cultism, which is completely forbidden on our campus. You are therefore warned to desist from any form of luring cult-related activities in the institution.”

“My dear students, as part of the security measures of this Polytechnic, it is mandatory for you to be in possession of your student identification card at all times while on campus. You are advised to obey this simple but very important instruction to avoid embarrassment by the security agents.”

He charged the students to be security conscious and should support the efforts of the management by reporting suspicious activities to the appropriate authority.

Speaking on the verdict of the National Board for Technical Education on the institutional accreditation, resource inspection, and programme accreditation conducted between December 18 and 20, 2024, Ogbo revealed that out of the 27 programmes presented the institution harvested 100 per cent success.

The Rector stated that the programmes granted full accreditation status in the last accreditation exercise include; ND Mechatronics Engineering Technology, ND Computer Engineering Technology, HND Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology (Power and Machine Option), HND Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology (Electronic and Telecommunication option).

Other are; ND Agricultural and Bio – Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology, ND Accountancy, HND Accountancy, ND Business Administration and Management, HND Business Administration and Management, ND Public Administration, HND Public Administration, HND Science Laboratory Technology (Microbiology option).

While HND Urban and Regional Planning, ND Library and Information Science, HND Library and Information Science, ND Horticultural Technology, ND Animal Health and Production Technology, and ND Agricultural Technology benefited from the accreditation exercise.

The Rector commended the immediate past Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and his successor Alhaji Usman Ododo, for their huge investment in the educational sector of the state.