Students’ protest: Rector lauds Sule for reopening Nasarawa poly

Rector, Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic Lafia, Dr.Justina Anjide Kotso, Friday, commended the Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Sule, for reopening the institution after its three months old suspension of academic activities following the students protest that led to destruction and vandalisation of the school properties.

She gave the commendation during a meeting of the co-heads of Nasarawa state-owned tertiary institutions who paid her solidarity visit at the polytechnic in Lafia.

Dr. Kotso appreciated the state government’s efforts in bringing the needed changes in the education sector, especially the technical and vocational education.

She also advised the students to always conduct themselves with decorum, abide by the school rules and regulations in their interest and the overall development of the state, while awaiting some courses to be accredited in the Institution.

She said the Polytechnic would continue to initiate good policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of the staff and students in order to make the polytechnic world class.

Earlier, chairman committee of heads of Nasarawa state-owned tertiary institutions, and Vice Chancellor Nasarawa state University Keffi, Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, said the visit was to show support and encourage the rector to remain focused in her commitment towards changing the narratives in the polytechnic, in spite of the violent protest by the students.

“We have been with the polytechnic in our thoughts and prayers but we also felt that it is important we should come for solidarity visit,” he said.

He appreciated the way and manner the state government intervened in the matter by investigating the issue and reopening the Institution.

While assuring of their commitment towards working together to ensure that they delivered on their mandate of imparting more qualitative knowledge and character into the students, the academic don noted that there were better ways to address grievances and issues rather than destroying properties of  the school.

The vice chancellor also stressed that the unity of purpose among the tertiary institutions in the state will never be compromised.