The rector of Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, yesterday said the elimination of cultism which used to be a major problem in the institution is one of his major achievements in his first term of four years as rector of the polytechnic.
Speaking during the press conference to mark the end of his first tenure as rector of the polytechnic, Prof. Ogbo noted that this has helped to check issues of insecurity previously associated with the polytechnic.
He maintained that the polytechnic management was able to achieve this through recruitment of more qualified security personnel, banning of the End of Session Celebration, which was a smokescreen for cult groups to operate in the past, and other measures.
Speaking further, he said, “We set machinery in motion for tackling insecurity through the following measures: Aggressive campus illumination through provision of solar lights and other security apparatus.
” I inherited a polytechnic where cultists reign supreme. They are lords and can always get away with anything. We have to take the bull by the horns. Today we have been able to overcome this hydra-headed problem.’’
In order to completely curtail the activities of cultists and other deviant groups on the campus, he said that additional measures were put in place, which includes the installation of hidden CCTV camera on the campus to monitor unholy activities, sustaining the ban of students tribal association to ensure harmony;
Other measures according to Prof. Ogbo include “Dislodgement of the notorious “Pipeline” which was hitherto the meeting point of engaging in bloody confrontations by cultists, often resulting in fatalities amongst others.
Others are fortifying security architecture through effective intelligence gathering on the campus, providing communication gadgets for security personnel for effective monitoring, Continuously clearing bushes on the campuses, and building Synergy with security agencies to prevent crimes and criminalities.
Speaking further, he said that in order to maintain academic excellence and the integrity of its certificates, the polytechnic introduced a new Statement of Result Template with Additional Security Features designed to prevent falsification and ensure that the statements of results are acceptable anywhere.
