Ogbo warns against cultism, as Kogi poly matriculates 6,549 students

Salisu Ogbo, rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, has urged the new students for the 2024/2025 to avoid vices that would jeopardise their academic pursuit in the institution.

While swearing on 6,549 students during the 32nd matriculation ceremony, which held on Saturday at the main campus of the institution in Lokoja, Ogbo disclosed that the matriculating students comprised 3,708 for National Diploma and 2,841 for Higher National Diploma, spread across eight schools and 57 programmes in the Polytechnic.

He congratulated the new students on their admission, as he warned that the institution has zero tolerance for all forms of social vices such as cultism, gun-running, examination malpractice, drug abuse, alcoholic addiction, unhealthy social gatherings, cybercrime, incitement to violence, gangsterism, misuse and destruction of public property, stealing, indecent dressing, among others.

“My simple warning is for you to stay away from these vices. Any breach will attract appropriate penalties, including outright expulsion and prosecution.

“The Students’ Information Handbook that will be distributed to you through your respective departments will guide you on the dos and don’ts of the polytechnic.

Read also: Okpebholo declares war on cultism, orders security sweep in Edo

“Ignorance of the law has no place in the polytechnic and will not be condoned. Let me particularly emphasize on cultism, which is completely forbidden on our campus. You are therefore warned to desist from any form of cult-related activities in the institution.

“My dear students, as part of the security measures of this Polytechnic, it is mandatory for you to be in possession of your student identification card at all times while on campus. You are advised to obey this simple but very important instruction to avoid embarrassment by the security agents,” he said.

He charged the students to be security conscious and should support the efforts of the management by reporting suspicious activities to the appropriate authority.

On the verdict of the National Board for Technical Education on the institutional accreditation, resource inspection, and programme accreditation conducted between December 18 and 20, 2024, Ogbo pointed out that 27 programmes the institution presented were all successful with full accreditation status in the last accreditation exercise.

Ogbo commended Yahaya Bello, immediate past governor of the state, and Usman Ododo, his successor, for their huge investment in the educational sector of the state.