From AMEDU JOSEPH, Lokoja
The Kogi State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Wemi Jones, has commended the Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja for his landmark achievements in the institution within few months of assuming office.
The Commissioner gave the commendation when he led a team from the ministry on an official visit to the Rector’s office at Kogi State Polytechnic on Wednesday.
The Commissioner congratulated the acting rector for his giant strides in project execution, saying, he has demonstrated great leadership for those landmark achievements within a short period of time.
The Commissioner promised to present their requests in terms of challenges facing the institution to Governor Yahaya Bello, for appropriate action.
The Commissioner stressed that he would do everything needed to be done to ensure that the desired result was achieved, while urging the acting rector and his team to keep up the good work.
He, therefore, urged the management of Kogi Polytechnic to ensure that cultism is also stamped out completely from the school.
Jones further enjoined the management and staff of the institution to ensure proper discipline among themselves in terms of punctuality and commitment to work and serve as good examples to the students.
He charged both academic and non academic staff of the institution to continue to support the acting rector to achieve greater things with good legacy.
Earlier, The Acting Rector, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman had told the commissioner that within his few months of assuming office, through team work, they had been able to resolve some lingering issues among the management and staff of the institution, saying everybody now have a sense of belonging.
‘’We did the appointment of the executives of the school seamlessly without rancour which reflected the ‘Ebigo’ agenda of His Excellency; we have been able to carry everybody along.
He commended the Governor for considering him fit to be appointed as the acting rector of Kogi Polytechnic, and promised never to let the governor and the good people of Kogi State down.
He explained that the ongoing security building project was a joint and collective efforts of everybody in the school which had shown a sense of acceptability.
He noted that they had taken strategic steps to ensure adequate security in the school and its environ, and also put measures in place to ensure that the school get constant electricity.
He added that another major challenge was the low level of ICT education for staff, which according to him required funds to carry out training for the staff to be ICT compliance.
He further requested for the support of the State Government for the construction of flyover bridge in front of the school to ensure safety of staff and students of the institution.
Similarly, the Commissioner also paid a working visit to STETSCOM where he charged the new Board members on commitment to revamp the state’s education sector.
In his response, the Executive Chairman of STETSCOM, Hon. Cecilia Cook, expressed the joy of the Commission over the Commissioner’s visit, describing it as a morale booster.
Cook noted that the Board under her watch, had brought the lingering process of merger of the TSC and STTEB to an end, saying the two had been fused into one entity, among several other notable achievements.
Bello mourns passage of flying officer Tolulope
From AMEDU JOSEPH, Lokoja
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has described the death of Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile as shocking, devastating and a national tragedy.
Flying Officer Arotile who died in a car accident in Kaduna was Nigeria’s first-ever Combat Helicopter Pilot in the history of the Nigerian Airforce.
In a condolence message signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, Bello described Arotile as not only a combat pilot but a fantastic Aviator who reached the sky in her professional calling at a very tender age of 23.
“It was with great sorrow and shock that I received the news about the passing of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the first female combat Helicopter Pilot in the history of the Nigerian Airforce. Late Flying Officer Arotile brought the country to a standstill on the 15th of October 2019 when she was decorated as the first female combat Helicopter Pilot. This was a huge honour to her family and state, the nation, and the entire women in the country and beyond. As a trained military aviator, with a blend of professionalism and patriotism, Arotile’s engagement in air-to-ground combat in rooting out armed bandits and other criminal elements in the country, particularly in the North Central region was a sacrifice that cannot be forgotten” the Governor said.
“We are devastated by the tragic death of this young promising lady who took bravery to the next level, demystified prejudicial stereotype and flew her parents, state and nation high in honour and professionalism.” He added.
While extolling the virtue of the: late young Flying Officer, Bello stated “at the age of 23, late Arotile has woven her own story into the Nigerian Folklore as a patriot who died in defence of her nation.
“On behalf of the state, I commiserate with the family of late * Flying Officer Arotile, over this irreparable loss and I pray that the Almighty God grants her soul eternal rest, She will be sorely missed” the governor added.
