The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Prof. Salisu Ogbo, has appealed to the Ohinoyi of Ebira land to intervene in the alleged encroachment of the school land at the satellite campus in Itakpe.
The rector made the appeal on Friday in Okene when the institution’s management team paid a courtesy visit to the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, HRM Dr Ahmed-Tijani Anaje in his palace.
He noted that the institution has invested over N7 billion at its satellite campus in Itakpe, adding that it was inherited from the then Kwara State.
“We inherited the campus from Kwara State. The campus is older than the Polytechnic itself. We have what we call chronic encroachment on our campus land in Itakpe, including serious security challenges, and vandalization of our valuable which is always a daily occurrence.
“Those that encroached our land including very prominent personalities have been calling me with threats.
“Those who has built on our land should vacate it. Some of them reported the issue to the Ministry of Lands. The management of the institution brought out the site plan of the Polytechnic land as inherited from Kwara State.
“Those who encroached into our land were instructed to bring their own documents for verification. Up till this moment, they are still struggling to bring any documents to counter the claims of the Polytechnic,” he said.
The Polytechnic Rector appealed to those who allegedly encroached into the institution’s land to trade the path of peace.
“We don’t want us to have crisis that can discourage further developments in our campus. The Itakpe Campus which comprises School of Engineering and Agricultural Technology is the heart of the Polytechnic. For this reason, we don’t joke with it and we want to manage and develop that campus beyond the expectation of Nigerians,” he added.
Responding, the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Dr Ahmed-Tijani Anaje noted that as traditional ruler, he is mandated to promote peace and protect the interest of his people.
“Our request is that you should avail the Palace the names of those that have allegedly encroached into the Polytechnic land so that we can know who to invite for questioning.
” I am appealing to the school authority to assist us with important documents that will guide us in looking at this case.
“The palace will be transparent in handling this matter before jumping into conclusions. If they are guilty, the Palace will order them to move away from the land as my reign remains committed in promoting peace and development in Ebira land,” he stressed.