From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Dr Salisu Usman Ogbo, has warned lecturers in the institution to stop harassing students under any guise saying the students should not be unnecessarily overstressed for whatever reason
The rector particularly frowned at any lecturer who may be involved in sex-for-mark syndrome or those tasking students to compulsorily buy their handouts and textbooks and reiterated that his administration will not tolerate such
The rector gave the warning on Wednesday while receiving an award for outstanding achievements bestowed on him by ‘Women in Leadership Positions in Kogi Polytechnic, Lokoja’ stressing that the days of lecturers making themselves taskmasters over their students are over and gone forever.
In his words; “I know the hardships these students face in trying to purchase those textbooks and hand-outs just to please their lecturers, whom they fear may take offence if they don’t buy, and this makes most of them be overstressed
“I am very much aware that lecturers in other state-owned institutions in Kogi don’t sell textbooks and hand-outs to their students so why must it be only Kogi State Polytechnic? Therefore this trend must stop immediately”
The rector warned that henceforth any report against any lecturer flouting this directive would attract the wrath of the management which may lead to the sanctioning of the affected lecturers.
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According to him, times are hard and the students should not be subjected to more hardships but be genuinely assisted to perform excellently in their academics.
While thanking the women group for honouring him, the rector pledged to do his best at making the polytechnic one of the best institutions in the country.
Earlier, the women group leader and Dean, School of General Studies, Mrs Balagbogbo, said that the award was in recognition of Usman-Ogbo’s tremendous achievements in the institution.
Balagbogbo described the rector as a “firm believer” in gender equality like Gov Yahaya Bello, which had made them proud of him as a seasoned administrator.
She pledged the women’s group’s continuous support to the polytechnic management, to succeed in taking the institution to greater heights.
The rector on the occasion decorated Mr Sunday Aribido from a senior security officer to a principal security officer of the institution for his diligence and hard work and said every committed staff of the institution will always be appropriately rewarded no matter the gender, faith or tribe.