The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, stated that the institution utilised the funds and resources available to it to combat cultism, exam fraud, and certificate racketeering within the institution.

Prof. Ogbo said he inherited a Polytechnic that was bedevilled by cultism, examination fraud, and certificate racketeering

Prof Ogbo disclosed this while addressing members of the Correspondents’ chapel during their Stewardship Forum in his office in Lokoja, on Tuesday.

The Rector said, “On assumption of office in 2020, I inherited a Polytechnic where students earned certificates from fraudulent syndicates who forged and sold our certificates to students.

“It was so bad that, after admission, students who are expected to sit down and learn preferred to patronise the syndicates to get the grade they desired.

“In addition to that, student cultism was the order of the day. Meanwhile, I also faced lecturers who profited from producing books and made it compulsory for students to purchase them. Only those who buy the textbooks pass exams. If you don’t buy it, you won’t be able to take that particular course. That attitude alone contributed to the growth of cultism on campus.

“But I realised the problems of the school were security-related, so I made security the priority of the institution. I launched a decisive battle against cultism, realising that the entire state would be in trouble if we allowed cultism to thrive on the campuses.

“As I speak to you, we have successfully tamed cultism in our campuses by establishing a security system that made it difficult for our students to join a cult.

“We embarked on a frontal campaign and deployment of security architecture against cultism and cult-related activities, as well as other social vices, which led to the arrest of suspected cultists later convicted and sentenced.

“We mounted CCTV cameras in the campus and hostels, then we intensified regular security patrols for Lokoja and Itakpe campuses”.

“On the extortion of students by Lecturers, management placed a ban on compulsory sales of textbooks in our campuses, and we directed them to take their books for sale at the public bookshops across the country.

“We curbed exam fraud and certificate racketeering through the introduction of Computer-Based Test (CBT) for the conduct of the General Studies and other examinations with large classes, which has curbed unethical practices and ensured prompt release of results.

“We have also created a new statement of result template with additional security features against falsification and forgery. This is coupled with the computation of e-result and display of semester results online for students.

“To ensure adequate security of our staff and students, the perimeter fencing of the female Hostel in Lokoja campus has been completed, while that of Itakpe Campus has gone 90 per cent”.

Prof. Ogbo commended the state governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, for providing the necessary resources and creating an enabling environment for the all-around development of the school.