By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The outgoing Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, has honoured sixty-four members of staff of the institution in recognition of their dedication, commitment, and outstanding service during his tenure.
The award ceremony, held at the Polytechnic campus, attracted members of the institution’s management, academic and non-academic staff, as well as members of the wider Polytechnic community.
Speaking at the event, Professor Usman explained that the awards were instituted to appreciate staff who played key roles in the growth, stability, and improvement of the academic and administrative standards of the institution.
According to him, the achievements recorded by Kogi State Polytechnic in recent years were the result of collective effort, stressing that the professionalism, resilience, and commitment of staff were instrumental to the success of his administration.
Professor Usman encouraged staff to sustain the values of hard work, discipline, and dedication to duty, noting that excellence, loyalty, and selfless service should always be recognised and celebrated.
He also urged the Polytechnic community to give maximum cooperation and support to the incoming leadership to ensure continuity and further development of the institution.
Speaking on behalf of the award recipients, the Deputy Rector, Professor Abdurahman Asipita Salihu, expressed gratitude to the outgoing Rector, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, for the honour, describing the recognition as a morale booster that would inspire greater commitment to service.
The awardees thanked Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman for the recognition and pledged to double their efforts towards contributing to the growth and success of the institution.
Several recipients acknowledged that his administration created a more conducive working environment, promoted staff welfare, and strengthened academic programmes across faculties and departments.
The ceremony featured presentations highlighting key achievements of the outgoing Rector, including improvements in infrastructure, expansion of academic programmes, and initiatives that enhanced student engagement and staff capacity building.
Staff members from various departments were recognised for excellence, innovation, and outstanding contributions to research, administration, and community service.
It would be recalled that Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman was recently appointed Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, by the Kogi State Government.
The appointment, which followed due process, further underscores his academic pedigree, leadership capacity, and the confidence reposed in him by the state government following his stewardship at Kogi State Polytechnic.
The newly appointed Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr. Avidemi Sanusi Salifu, will take over the administration from Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman and continue efforts to enhance the institution’s academic and administrative standards.
The event concluded with a special vote of thanks from staff union and student representatives, who lauded Professor Usman for his exemplary leadership and commitment to the institution.
Tributes flowed from staff and students alike, many describing his tenure as transformative and visionary.
The valedictory ceremony marked a fitting send-off for Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, celebrating a tenure characterised by progress, inclusivity, and institutional development, while ushering in a new chapter under the leadership of Dr. Salifu.
Watch Video Here:
