By Abdul Mohammed Lawal.
Some individuals are so intentional about their actions that they often achieve remarkable results without seeking recognition. Their accomplishments sometimes exceed expectations, yet they remain humble, not drawing attention to their successes.
Recently, I visited my alma mater, Kogi State University, Anyigba (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and was compelled to reflect on the significant impact His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has had on the quality of education in Kogi State during his two terms in office.
Under the New Direction Administration of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, education in Kogi State was not only prioritized but approached holistically, leading to substantial improvements. Previously, many government primary and secondary schools faced challenges where civil service positions were often used to reward party loyalty, resulting in many staff members existing only on paper. The backbone of learning relied on temporary staff, such as National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and those hired by Parents and Teachers Associations (PTA).
To address this, the New Direction Administration introduced an innovative IT device requiring teachers to clock in and out, ensuring accountability and attendance. Staff members were mandated to maintain a 75% attendance rate to receive their monthly salaries. As a former PTA staff member at a government owned Community Secondary School, I witnessed this transformation firsthand. My school saw the addition of at least 20 new workers, significantly reducing the workload on temporary staff. This compliance initiative has since been a remarkable success story.
Early in his first tenure, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, faced the perennial threat of strikes by the Association of Academic Staff Union of Universities (AASU), which disrupted the academic calendar at Kogi State University, Anyigba. Concerned about the impact on students and the state’s educational goals, the government made the bold decision to withdraw the institution from AASU to eliminate the frequent strikes and ensure optimal operation.
This decision sparked widespread debate, with both supporters and critics voicing their opinions. Senior lecturers, especially those with administrative roles in the union or aspirations for such positions, and non-Kogi staff who were indifferent to the institution’s future, expressed their dissatisfaction and left in solidarity with AASU. However, this departure presented an opportunity to reshape the institution’s path toward growth, and the success story is one to write an entire book about.
The state government embarked on a nationwide campaign, mobilizing Kogi-born academics from various higher institutions to transfer to Kogi State University, Anyigba, either permanently or temporarily. This initiative also opened doors for young Kogites to enter the academic field, fostering the next generation of Kogi scholars. Before His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s administration, it was challenging for even the best graduating students from different departments to secure employment in the system. However, his government alleviated these concerns, and even provided stability for recently employed academic and non-academic staff who had been working on a temporary basis.
This focus on nurturing future academics extended beyond Kogi State University to all state-owned tertiary institutions over the eight-year period. My alma mater expanded with an annex campus in Kabba, and the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) was birthed, seeing an additional crop of young Kogites getting employed in academic environments. A standout example is the success story of Kogi State Polytechnic (KSP) under the leadership of Prof. Usman Salifu Ogbo over the past four years.
During my recent visit to Kogi State University, Anyigba (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), I was heartened to see that many of these young Kogi academics had earned doctoral degrees and published numerous research papers, while others were deep into their doctoral studies. This intentional policy has set the stage for Kogi to produce numerous professors who might not have considered a career in academia, all thanks to the vision of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. I am penning this piece with a lot of pride as a Kogite.
As Kogites, we should appreciate the beauty in the non-political efforts of the preceding New Direction Administration and be open to knowing His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, in the continuity and consolidation administration. Progress will continue regardless, but it will be more impactful if we all join hands to build the Kogi of our dreams together.