By Abo Okpotu Otokiti
On the 26th of October 1972 a rare gem was born to a great family in a village called Angwa-ogede, Ankpa Township, Ankpa Local Government, Kogi state. From his childhood, Dr. Salisu was an exemplary and distinguished personality among his peers. At his early education, Dr. Salisu attended RCM Primary School Ankpa where he obtained his first Leaving Certificate in 1988, after completing his primary education, Dr. Salisu went to St Charles College, Ankpa for his secondary education in 1989 and later switched to the Young Muslim Congress Secondary School (YMCSS), Ankpa, where he obtained his West Africa Senior School Certificate in 1995 and finished with flying colors
His quest for tertiary education began at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Osara Campus where he obtained his Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination (IJMBE) as one of the pioneers set of the programme and passed with Advanced Level Result in 1996. After the programme, Dr. Obgo enrolled for his Bachelor Degree at the Bayero University, Kano, in 1997 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree in Political Science in 2001. In 2004, Dr. Usman proceeded to the University of Ilorin, Kwara State to enroll in masters programme, there he obtained his Msc.in Political Science in 2006. His hungry for knowledge and giving back to his community landed him at Nassarwa State University, Keffi for a PhD Programme in 2010 where he was conferred with a PhD in Political Economy and Development Studies in 2015.
On the 7th of April 2020 seeing his capacity and track records, Governor Yahaya Bello appointed him as the acting Rector of the Kogi state polytechnic a position he held for some months. As with his tradition of living a good legacy and serving every position he found himself with best of his ability, Dr. Salisu transformed the administrative and academic sectors of the polytechnic, seeing this achievements within a short period of time, Governor Bello confirmed his appointment as the substantive Rector on 11th February 2021 in order to consolidate the achievements he made and bring back the lost glory of the polytechnic.
To take you a little bit back of the lane of history, before the appointment of Dr. Salisu as the acting rector of the Kogi State Polytechnic, he held many positions and brought a lot of developmental projects to Kogi State University now Prince Abubakar Abdu University when he was a staff at the university. Some of the positions he held were: Level Adviser across levels, Secretary, Departmental Project Coordinator, Assistant Examination Officer, PG Coordinator and has been the Head of Department, Political science Department from 2016 to 2018.
At the faculty level, he has served as Secretary Faculty Misconduct Committee, Chairman Faculty Examination Misconduct Committee, Member Faculty Electoral Committee for the Election of Dean (2013) Chairman Faculty Electoral Committee for Election of Dean (2016 and 2018) and Member Faculty of Social Sciences Management Committee (2016-date) all in Prince Abubakar Audu University.
At the larger university level Dr. Salisu served as Secretary E-Examination Committee, Deputy Coordinator, General Studies Unit, Coordinator General Studies Unit and Dean Student Affairs, a position he held until his appointment as the acting Rector of Kogi State University. The administrative experience of Dr. S.O is an overwhelming one.
Regarding his contributions to the academic community, Dr. S.O Usman has published over 25 articles in a reputable local and international journals and has several chapters in edited books to his credit. In addition, he has attended and presented papers at conferences both at the disciplinary and interdisciplinary levels across the country. He has also delivered lectures and engaged in constructive interactions at several conferences, fora, workshops and symposia.
The substantive Rector is a member of the Nigeria political science Association (NPSA), Member Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators and Fellow Institute of Corporate Administration (FCIA). All these experiences shape his developmental stride at Kogi state polytechnic and made him the perfect person to stair the affairs of the institution.
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However, his love and passion for leaving an indelible ink and transformational mind, from his appointment as the acting Rector to date, Dr. Usman has brought the following developmental projects to the Kogi State Polytechnic: Building of 40 Bed Health Centre, General Drainage and Erosion Control, Restoration of internet service, creation of Legal Unit, Six TETFUND projects under his watch, Renovation of Lecture Halls, creation of four Directorates: SERVICOM/SPORT, Information Technology and Resources Centre, Advancement Support and Linkages.
Looking at the academic qualifications, administrative experience and developmental projects of Dr. Salisu we can conclude that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has made the right choice and we pray that the Rector will sustain this giant stride and bring more development to the Polytechnic.
Anyariresu oiza Sir.
Abu Opotu Otokiti writes from Ihima Okehi Local Government, Kogi State and his can be reached either his email address: otokitabdulazeez@gmail.com or phone number: 08162337333
