Kogi Poly School of General and Communication Studies Holds 14th National Conference »

…As Participants are charged to identify practical solutions to electoral problems, insecurity

A cross section of academic stakeholders attending the 14th National Conference of the School of General and Communication Studies, Kogi State Polytechnic have been charged to proffer workable and lasting solutions to electoral problems and insecurity so as to ensure a united and prosperous nation.

The Conference which held at ‘Hall A’ of the Main Campus of the Polytechnic on Tuesday 4th July, 2023 had ‘Electioneering, Security and Education: Implication to Nation Building’ as its theme.

The Dean of the hosting School, Mrs. Ardlene Omolola Balagbogbo informed the gathering that the year’s Conference was aimed at proffering practical and academic solutions to issues bedeviling the country, especially on electioneering process and its accompanied social issues.

Mrs. Balagbogbo who appreciated Management of the Polytechnic under the able leadership of Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman for the success in establishing the Department of Mass Communication which had been a dream for years, and assured that the School of General and Communication Studies would continue to support the Polytechnic in the promotion of academic excellence.

In his address, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, described the theme of the Conference as important and timely as it was aimed at unravelling the issues that border on elections, security and education which he said would further help in shaping the trajectory of the nation’s development.

Dr. Usman who was also the Chief Host of the Conference noted that dissecting issues of electioneering in relation to education and security was more imperative as Kogi State was already in the mood for a governorship elections scheduled for 11th November this year.

He ascribed security and education as vital for a successful, free, fair and credible poll, stressing that it would not only have positive effect on governance but in the development of a state and the country at large.

The Rector who was recently confirmed Associate Professor of Political Science by the Governing Council of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, charged the participants to take advantage of the conducive environment in the Polytechnic by making recommendations that would not only benefit the immediate community but the nation at large.

The Lead Paper Presenter, Professor Lucky Ovwasa, of the Federal University, Lokoja (FUL), identified absence of good governance, political accountability, security and lack of education as bane of credible elections in Nigeria.

Prof. Ovwasa suggested that the only way to ensure a united Nigeria is for Federal Government to ensure adequate security, a well funded education sector and policy action that instills democratic principles of the rule of law, justice and fairness.

In separate remarks, the representatives of Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Animoko and Mr. Barnabas Abiodun, who represented the Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), commended the School for sustaining the initiatives of the annual Conference.

They also lauded the successes recorded at Kogi State Polytechnic under Dr. Usman which has further facilitated rapid growth in learning and research for the benefit of all.

Highlights of the opening ceremony was presentation of an award to the Rector, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman by the Dean School of General and Communication Studies in recognition of his unrivaled structural and academic expansion in the Polytechnic.