Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja has concluded arrangements to graduate a total of 12,080 students at its 4th combined convocation scheduled to be held Saturday.
Addressing journalists Thursday during a pre-convocation press briefing Friday, the Rector, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, said a total of 7,653 students graduated with national diploma (ND) while 4,427 students graduated with higher national diploma (HND).
He said the students had met all the requirements, both in character and learning, adding that the 4th convocation would be held Saturday.
According to the rector, a total of 104 students graduated with distinction from various schools and departments at the HND level.
“This figure is the highest since the inception of the Polytechnic and this is a significant indication that Kogi State Polytechnic is firmly poised to contribute to quality manpower needs of the country.
“I, therefore, wish to proudly congratulate our graduates for being worthy of their calling. I am very confident that they will be good ambassadors of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja,” he said.
Ogbo, who narrated the unfortunate negative academic and administrative activities in the institution before his appointment as Rector, however, said the trend had changed “for the better.”
He disclosed that cases of examination malpractice, cultism and staff involvement in exploitation of students “are now things of the past as stringent measures such as expulsion of students and dismissal of staff found culpable.”
He commended Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, “for the support he has been rendering to the institution which has tremendously transformed the institution to one of the best polytechnics in the country.”
