The Management of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja has explained why it banned all forms of end-of-examination celebration on the campus.
According to the rector of the institution, Salisu Usman, this will “prevent an imminent violent attack on students while celebrating.”
“As a Management, we have no reason whatsoever to go against such celebration if conducted with civility and decorum.
In times past, including mine as a student, examination celebration was about handshake, hugging, other merriments devoid of social upheavals
“But events in recent years have proved that this is no longer the case. Instead, what we now have in most cases is the despicable use of both dirty and clean water mixed with soap, kerosene, and other dangerous chemicals to immerse colleagues who have just graduated,” he said further.
According to the Rector, during such celebrations, students drive recklessly on campus, causing an avoidable accident.
Citing the case of a female student who almost lost her legs at Kogi State University due to such carelessness.
The Rector also said in the process of such “celebration” some students openly show their respective cult groups through what they term “flying of colour.”
“Reliable information reaching us says members of cult groups invites their fellow from other institutions and pass batons of leadership.
“Worst still, the celebrations have taken a more dangerous dimension that students now mark the end of examination with gunshots .
What Formed Our Decisions
The Rector further stated that in Kogi State Polytechnic, there were cases of sporadic gunshots at the end of examination.
Stressing that the highpoint of the gunshot was a particular case of cultists that came with guns looking for lecturer.
Noting that the 2019 celebration eventually ended tragically as it claimed the life of a student at Matriculation Ground Lokoja.
“We have credible information cult groups have made arrangement to avenge the 2019 killing using celebration as a launchpad.
“We have also been informed that some external mercenaries and old students who are suspected leaders of rival cult groups have been invited and have been around for the past five days rehearsing the execution of their plan.
“As a Management, we have every responsibility to be proactive and this informed our decision to ban any form of end-of-examination celebration on the campus,” Usman explained.
By Onome F.E
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