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.

End

Kogi State Government has approved the relocation of the State Polytechnic’s School of Preliminary Studies to Koton Karfe in Kogi Local Government Area of the State.

The School which was formerly situated at Osara in Adavi LGA will now temporarily be at the Government Science Secondary School, Koton Karfe.

Disclosing this while on inspection visit to the Ohimegye of Koton Karfe, HRH, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Sani Isah Koto on Tuesday 15th December, 2020, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Honourable Wemi Jones noted that the decision to move the School of Preliminary Studies to the new site was at the instance of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, who has shown keen interest in the upliftment of the education sector in the state.

While congratulating the Ohimegye and the good people of Koton Karfe on the historic moment of having a higher institution in the area, Honourable Jones reiterated the state government’s resolve to make the new site admirable and conducive for teaching and learning.

His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Sani Isah Koto, in a response, appreciated the Governor for choosing to relocate the School of Preliminary Studies to Koton Karfe, and commended the Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic for his outstanding performance since he assumed office.

The Royal Father also pledged his kingdom’s total support to make the relocation successful.

In his response, the Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman, commended the decision of the State Government to relocate the School, and called for more support for education from corporate bodies and well meaning individuals in and out of the State.

While inspecting the facilities at the new site along with the State Government representatives, Dr Usman said the Polytechnic was ready to collaborate with the community to make the institution a befitting one.

He thanked the Ohimegye for the warm reception and the pledge to give the institution all the needed support.

While thanking God for the many good things happening under his watch as Acting Rector, Dr Usman stressed that as the first alumnus and youngest person to be so appointed in the history of the institution, he was so elated that the School of Preliminary Studies that produced him (first set of IJMB in 1995/96) has been upgraded to the Conflunce University of Science and Technology ( CUSTECH).

He added that history was again, already in the making under his watch with the relocation of the School of Preliminary Studies to Koton Karfe.

The Team which was led by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Honourable Wemi Jones also included the the State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning, Honourable Mukadam Asiwaju Ashiru Idris, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Solid Minerals, Honourable Abdulbashir Gegu, the Permanent Secretary, ministry of Education Science and Technology, Pastor Emmanuel Idenyi, the Chairman of Kogi Local Government, Honourable Isah Abdulkarim (ECOMOG), the Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman, the Acting Director of Works, Engineer Sunday Adanu, the Dean, School of Preliminary Studies, Mrs. Sarah Iyabode Modupe Ayedogbon and other members of the Committee on the smooth take off of CUSTECH.

Compiled By:
Uredo Omale (Mrs.)
Head, Public Relations and Protocol Unit.
Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.