Trailblazing Icon: Dr. Usman Ogbo's 4 years Remarkable Transformation of Kogi Poly »

By Blessing Ele-ojo

Enough cannot be written or said about a trailblazing icon such as Dr. Usman Ogbo, the esteemed Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic. He is renowned as a formidable force within and outside Kogi educational sector. Having earned a myriad of titles such as education reformer, administrator par excellence, and humanitarian leader, Ogbo is revered by his students, staff, and the Polytechnic community at large. In just four years of stewardship, the Rector has undeniably left an indelible mark on the institution and Kogi State in general.

Prior to the Rector’s appointment, Kogi Poly grappled with copious challenges, including a surge in cult activities, a concerning lack of discipline, neglect that resulted in dilapidated structures, a disheartening disregard for staff welfare, rampant vandalism, and tragic incidents of reckless violence leading to loss of life. It was a scene of considerable turmoil and distress that threw an overwhelmingly gloomy shadow over the once-promising institution.

Governor Yahaya Bello then appointed Dr. Salisu Usman Ogbo as the Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic on April 7, 2020. Subsequently, he was officially confirmed as the substantive Rector on February 11, 2021, with the mission of addressing the various challenges plaguing the institution and restoring its esteemed reputation.

The Rector, recognized for his passion for driving transformative change, diligently embraced this directive from the Governor and promptly commenced his efforts towards fulfilling this mission.

So far, under the Rector’s four years leadership, Kogi Poly has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a world-class citadel of learning and character formation. Through his innovative academic and administrative reforms, the scourge of cultism, examination malpractice, extortion and other social vices has been beaten down to near zero, creating a conducive and safe environment for learning and growth.

The Rector wasted no time in spearheading the construction of state-of-the-art facilities to enhance teaching and learning experience. He oversaw the construction of various academic and administrative buildings sponsored by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). These structures include lecture theatres, laboratories, workshops, administrative buildings and studios across different schools within the institution. In Addition, renovation efforts were directed towards existing facilities such as lecture theatres, hostels, laboratories, drainages, and security enhancements.

Correspondingly, Dr. Ogbo initiated the establishment of new directorates and introduced automated administrative processes, marking a significant unprecedented turnaround.

Furthermore, the Rector championed the full accreditation of thirty (30) programs by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), highlighting his dedication to ensuring quality education and professional training. This is in addition to introducing new programs in school of Agricultural Sciences, Communications and Arts, and engineering.

His milestone achievements, recorded in so short a time, signify a momentous upliftment of the institution, deeply emphasizing the Rector’s commitment to academic excellence and growth through holistic development within Kogi State.

Beyond his scholarly pursuits, Dr Ogbo’s philanthropic endeavors and mentorship places him as a rallying point for youths within and outside the state. He has demonstrated this on various platforms at National, State and Local levels.

Drawing from his vast knowledge as a professor of Political Science and one-time Head of Department of the same discipline at the former Kogi State University, now known as Prince Abubakar Audu University, Dr. Ogbo has seamlessly applied his extensive mastery beyond academia to the actual field of practice. This was evident in his meticulously planned strategies and programs deployed in the build-up and during the 2023 Kogi State gubernatorial election that culminated in the emergence of Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman as the duly elected Executive Governor of Kogi State. These achievements elucidates Dr. Ogbo’s multifaceted contributions to society, delineating his political astuteness.

In summary, Dr. Usman Ogbo’s steadfast dedication to academic excellence, infrastructural development, and community empowerment has solidified his reputation as an educational reformer, a change agent and a visionary in the state. Indeed, it is safe to say his appointment as Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, so far, is a case of a square peg in an equally fitting square hole.