The Matriculation Ceremony which started at 10:25 a.m. was a colourful event with a long procession having the Principal Officers, the Dean of Faculties, Directors and Coordinators of different departments.

The Registrar of CUSTECH, Osara Ms. Olufunke Hudson who took charge of the Matriculation proceedings also led the fresh students in taking the Matriculation Oath. She thereafter invited the Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Salawu Sadiku to present his speech.

Speaking at to the matriculating students and those who attended the Matriculation, Engr. Prof. Salawu Sadiku said “Today is special in your history as it marks the day you were fully admitted into the university system as undergraduate students.

This day will remain a memorable one that would be prominent in your biography.” Speaking expressly, Engr. Prof Salawu Sadiku submitted that “We declare, at this juncture our firm belief in the adage which says, “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” The Vice Chancellor went further to advise the fresh students to shun all vices like examination misconduct and malpractices as anyone caught indulging in the act will surely be expelled from CUSTECH, Osara. He added that “… every student is very much loved, respected and dear to us until he or she proves otherwise.” He also advised the students to be security conscious as our society is presently faced with security challenges. The fresh students were also warned not to belong to any cult related group or tied to the apron strings of religious extremism as CUSTECH, Osara has zero tolerance for these.

Moving forward, the Vice Chancellor reeled out the available programmes offered by CUSTECH, Osara which includes: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Statistics, Computer Science, Cybersecurity Science, Information Technology and Software Engineering. Others are Geology, Applied Geophysics, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering and Chemical Engineering. Engr. Prof. Salawu Sadiku said “we are desirous of bringing in new programmes in Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences and Technology in the forth coming session.

Concluding his speech, Engr. Prof. Salawu Sadiku appreciated His Excellency, Alh. (Dr.) Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State for “his unrelenting efforts in promoting and sustaining science education for the eternal benefits of our teeming present and future youths, as exemplified practically in his meteoric development of CUSTECH, Osara.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (tetfund) on Tuesday, promised its support for the newly established Confluence University of Science and Technology ((CUSTECH), Osara in Kogi, as soon as the university is enlisted by the board.

Dr Suleiman Zangina, gave the assurance when he led a team from tetfund Abuja, on an inspection tour to the ongoing rehabilitation project work at CUSTECH permanent site in Osara, Adavi LGA of Kogi State.

The tetfund team were conducted round the facilities at the university campus by Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB, accompanied by the CUSTECH’s Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Salawu Sadiku, and other stakeholders.

Zangina, the tetfund team lead to CUSTECH, noted that the university had formally applied to TETFUND for enlistment as a beneficiary of the fund.

According to him,, the management considered it fit that we should come for visitation because it is part of the process.

He explained that before any institution could be a beneficiary of the fund, it must be formally enlisted by the board.

”We have come, we have gone round and we have seen that the university has inherited some structures from the Kogi State Polytechnic.

”In addition, the State is putting some values to those structures; massive renovation work is ongoing, and I think so far so good the university is on the fast lane”, he said.

He stressed that the tetfund visit was a prerequisite for the enlistment of the university, saying it could not be enlisted without the visit.

He added that after the visit, a recommendation would be made to the management regarding the university, which would be considered for approval by the board.

”When the board gives approval, a formal letter will be issued to the university for enlistment, and we are hoping it will not take time”, he said.

In his remarks, the Kogi State Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Hon Wemi Jones, FCIB, commended the tetfund team for the visit, saying it was a dream come through as a state.

Jones stressed that as a state, His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello, had put in his best for the university to commence but there was a need for external supports especially from tetfund.

”We all know the role of tetfund as far as tertiary institutions’ support is concerned, and we are very grateful and excited that tetfund team has visited us so early. It shows that God is with us in this project.

”With the assurances we have gotten from tetfund team today, I am sure that by God’s grace, CUSTECH would be enlisted by tetfund very soon”, Jones said..

The Commissioner added that he was optimistic that very soon CUSTECH would begin to enjoy massive intervention and support from tetfund.

Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of CUSTECH, Engr. Prof. Salawu Sadiku, noted that the early visit of tetfund team to the university, showed that the relationship between the board and CUSTECH was very cordial.

”We are looking forward to getting support from tetfund for the development of the university.

”For tetfund to even be here as early as this time, shows that the relationship between tetfund and CUSTECH is really cordial, and I am very happy for that”, Sadiku said.

He reiterated that they had a marching order from His Excellency to commence the academic activities at the university by the end of February.

”We are working assiduously to achieve that order because we don’t want to fail His Excellency, the state and the nation”, Sadiku said.

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The Commissioner gave the assurance when the newly appointed principal officers of CUSTECH led by its Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Salawu Sadiku, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Lokoja on Wednesday.

Jones felicitated with the top management officers describing their appointment as well deserved and timely, stressing that they would take the institution to a monumental height based on their vast experience and academic exploits over the years.

He thanked the VC for his humility and simplicity and pray God to help him and his team to take the university to an unprecedented height, while thanking them for leaving their comfort zone to heed to state assignment.

He commended the governor for always been fair to all the citizens of Kogi State irrespective of tribes, religious and region in terms of appointment and projects execution.

He insisted that the governor wanted all academic activities in the institution to commence before the end of February 2021.

He further commended the governor for being so committed to education development in Kogi.

The Commissioner prayed that CUSTECH would witness a huge transformation such that has never been recorded by any State University in Nigeria.

”My desire is to take education to a higher and unprecedented realm in Kogi that will stand the test of time for future generations”, Jones said.

The Commissioner restated the commitment of His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello, to revamping education sector in the state and ensure quality, accessible and sustainable education for all.

Earlier, the CUSTECH VC, Engr. Prof. Salawu Sadiku, said the team was in the Commissioner’s office to officially introduce themselves to him as their boss, formalise relationship with the ministry and solicited for his support as their parent ministry.

”Our appointment is a pleasant surprise and because of that we have agreed individually and collectively as a team that we are going to give the university nothing smaller than the best in us”, Sadiku said.

Sadiku, on behalf of the top management officers of CUSTECH, commended the Governor for considering them worthy of the appointment.

The don further appreciated the Commissioner for his personal commitment and extra passion for the takeoff and sustainable growth of the university.

In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Pastor Emmanuel Idenyi, commended the VC and his team for their maiden visit to the Commissioner, and assured them of the Ministry’s total support.

Compiled By Ademu Seidu H.

PRO KOGI MOEST

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It would be recalled that Dr Usman Ogbo, acting Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, had on Monday officially handed over its Osara Campus for the take-off of academic activities at the new CUSTECH.

Prof. Salawu Sadiku, spoke to newsmen on behalf of the visiting members of the implementation committee shortly after an assessment tour of the facilities on ground at the Osara Campus, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Sadiku said that the committee members had ‘fantastic impression’ in terms of the facilities on ground at the campus for the take-off of the university.

”We have a fantastic impression because most of us never even knew at the beginning that we had that level of readiness for the university to takeoff in terms of availability of facilities.

”So, our impression is quite good and high”, Sadiku said.

He, however noted that some challenges were noticed, and one of them was the issue of how to accommodate the Kogi Polytechnic students who were already on ground at the campus.

”Hence, we came to Itakpe campus of Kogi Polytechnic to discus with the Dean of School of Engineering, with a view to possibly providing us short term measures for accommodating those students while a permanent place of abode will be prepared for them”, Sadiku said.

The university don further emphasised the commitment of the implementation committee to admitting students at CUSTECH as soon as possible.

Also speaking, the Kogi Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB, assured that CUSTECH would kickoff within the shortest possible time not just for administrative purposes but also for academic activities.

”We were here on Monday with a team from the ministry and also a team from Kogi Polytechnic led by the acting Rector, Dr Usman Ogbo, for handing over of Osara campus.

”Today, we are here again with subcommittee members under the implementation committee, and we are very comfortable that we are good to go.

”I can confirm to you that within the shortest possible time, CUSTECH will kickoff not just for administrative purposes but also for academic activities”, the commissioner said.

Others present at the assessment tour were: The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Pastor Emmanuel Idenyi, Director Science and Technology, Mr Dipo Aiyenibe and Mrs Clara Bolu, the Director, Tertiary and Continued Education.

Compiled By Ademu Seidu

PRO KOGI MOEST

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