By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

Rector Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman, has revealed that one of the major mechanisms he deployed to reposition and restore the dignity of the institution is quality assurance.

The Rector disclosed this during a courtesy call on him by Comrade Abdullahi Adamu, Caretaker Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, at the Polytechnic main campus in Lokoja.

He explained that the ban on indiscriminate and compulsory sale of textbooks with emphasis on Continuous Assessment and Examination, introduction of e-exam, e-result computation and e-payment had also put the Polytechnic in good stead.

The Rector noted that the institution had also raised the bar in repairing, reforming and restoring the dignity of the Polytechnic just as he solicited more collaboration with the host Local Government to improve upon his effort at raising the standard of the School.

He commended the Caretaker Chairman and his entourage for the visit which he described as noble, and particularly complimented Comrade Adamu for starting well, an indication that he would make a dependable team player.

The Rector however reassured the Caretaker Chairman that Management of the institution would continue to synergize to combat insecurity and other vices as well as introduce innovation that would make the Local Government an envy of others.

Speaking earlier, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu stated that the visit was to familiarize with the Institution and to appreciate the Management under Dr Ogbo Usman for the tremendous effort at structural uplift and enhanced educational standard of the institution.

Comrade Adamu commended the Rector for identifying with the immediate community through various supports and encouragement, expressing the Local Government’s readiness to make the area habitable and hospitable for all.

Principal Officers of the Polytechnic at the visit were the Deputy Rector, Dr. Samuel Taiwo Olowo; the Registrar, Elder Sunday Aiyeetan; and the Bursar, Mr Obaro Adeika Obadaki.

The Caretaker Chairman had on his entourage, Hon. Emmanuel Egamana, Special Adviser on Security; Mohammed Bala Yusuf, Local Government Department Security Officer (DSO); Mallam Bababudon M., Special Adviser to Chairman on Media; Hon. Iliyasu Zakari and Mallam Ibrahim S. Nuhu. (Ends)

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State over his handling of recent security situation in the state and other affairs of the state.

The President gave the commendation when he received the Governor who was at the State House to brief him on the state of affairs in the State.

President Tinubu assured the Governor of his support as a father who will continue to work with him to ensure that he succeeds in governing the state.

Earlier, Ododo briefed President Tinubu over recent developments in the state as they relate to security and general state of affairs

While expressing appreciation to the President on the support from the federal government in addressing security challenges in the state, Governor Ododo sought the intervention of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces in the establishment of a Forward Operation Base of the Nigerian Military in Omala Local Government Area and other potential flashpoints in the state in view of recent security concerns in parts of the state.

The Governor also used the opportunity to highlight activities of his administration in the agricultural sector including the census of farmers across the 21 local government areas of the state, recovery and refurbishing of over 200 tractors which are being deployed at the commencement of the new farming season to clusters of farmers focusing on different crop production as well as preparation of over 7000 hectares of farmland ready for cultivation as part of efforts to ensure food security in the state.

In the area of infrastructure, Governor told the President of the commitment of his administration to complete all ongoing roads and other projects across the state especially the 9.9 Kilometer Zone 8 Junction Zango-Barracks-GYB junction road, the 5.5 Kilometer Zone 8 Junction-Crusher road, and various projects across the educational institutions in the state.

In the health sector, the Kogi Governor explained that he will soon commence the revitalization of 63 Primary Healthcare Centres in the state adding that his priorities as the Governor of the state is driven by interventions in human capital development hence the emphasis on health and educational development.

He used the opportunity to present his scorecard in the welfare of workers in the state, highlighting the state health insurance scheme for the formal sector and vulnerable groups, improvements in salaries and pension of workers at the local government level among others.

Finally Ododo reiterated his commitment to according priority to the welfare of the people of the state irrespective of political affiliations.

***Police Confirms Rescue of 14 Students

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

KOGI State Government has announced that some students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara abducted by gunmen have been rescued safely by combined force of local hunters and conventional security agents.
A statement released by Mr Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications on Sunday in Lokoja said the breakthrough came few hours after Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo visited the institution to assure parents of his commitment to rescuing the students.
According to the statement, the local vigilante men and security agents engaged the kidnappers in a fierce shootout and the kidnappers succumbed to superior firepower.
It said that they escaped with gun wounds, leaving the kidnapped students who also ran in different directions to avoid being caught up in the fire exchange.
The statement further revealed that many of the kidnapped students and other kidnap victims hitherto held in captivity were rescued and taken to medical facilities for proper attention, adding that many others were also rescued in the early hours of Sunday.
“Security agents are currently combing the forests to ensure all the kidnapped students are found and brought home safely.
“In the sporadic gun battle to rescue our dear students, a local hunter and a DSS operative sustained injuries and they are currently receiving medical attention”, the Commissioner explained.
Fanwo also commended the local hunters and all the conventional security agents for their bravery and gallantry saying that of special commendation was the DSS for acting on credible intelligence to coordinate a fearless confrontation on the outlaws.
“The security agencies have once again demonstrated why Kogi State will remain an uncomfortable place for bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements.
“The success recorded so far is a clear testament of the readiness of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to ensure adequate and uncompromising security for the people of Kogi State.
“We urge residents to report anyone with gun wounds found in their communities to law enforcement agents”, he said.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), William Ovye Aya however confirmed that a total number of 14 students were rescued as at Sunday morning.(Ends)