Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja on Thursday matriculated 6,216 students into various programmes of the institution for the 2021/2022 academic session with a charge to them to shun all vices that can affect their stay in the polytechnic.
Addressing the matriculating students at the main campus of the institution in Lokoja, the Rector of the Polytechnic Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman revealed that a total of 5, 229 students of National Diploma (ND1) and 987 students of Higher National Diploma (HND1) were matriculated.
The Rector who emphasized the need for the new students to prioritize their studies cautioned them against cultism, indecent dressing, religious bigotry, examination malpractice, alcoholism, unhealthy social gatherings, cyber crimes among others.
He said, “Within the ambience of our value for academic excellence, creativity, and self-reliance, you have unlimited opportunities to explore and succeed in any virtuous endeavour.
“While you enjoy these opportunities, it should be noted that the Institution has zero-tolerance for all forms of social vices such as cultism, gun-running, examination malpractice, alcoholism, unhealthy social gatherings, cyber crimes, incitement to violence, gangsterism, misuse and destruction of school property, stealing and indecent dressing.
“We want to reiterate that while noble acts attract rewards, all vices will be met with heavy sanctions. You should endeavour to obtain, read and digest the revised edition of the students’ information handbook that will be distributed through your respective departments. Ignorance of the law has no place in this school and will not be condoned.
“Indiscipline, poor academic performance, unruly behaviour and insubordination are highly forbidden in this institution. You are therefore expected to exhibit a high sense of discipline while in the polytechnic, as the institution will not award its certificates to students that are deficient in character and learning.
“Cultism is completely forbidden on our campus, all the visible and invisible security architectures of the polytechnic placed in so many strategic places have preventive mechanisms to deal with cultists, their sympathizers and their sponsors.
“Students are advised to stay safe and free from all cult-related lifestyles. Students are also advised to report any move intended to intimidate, lure them into or enlist them in cultism from any quarters to the security unit,” he advised.
Meanwhile, Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Salisu Ogbo made a passionate appeal to the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board to reconsider giving the institution a Computer Based Test Examination Centre.
Ogbo regretted that the former CBTE Centre approval for the institution ran into a hitch.
The Rector disclosed that following the alleged action or inaction of staff of the institution, the CBTE Centre was penalized.
He added that the matter is, however, being addressed administratively with the view to unravelling the circumstances leading to why the centre ran into the hitch.
The Rector called on the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede to kindly look into the appeal for the approval of a CBTE Centre for the Polytechnic
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