Professor M.S Atureta is the immediate past rector of Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja who was appointed January 2019 and relieved of his appointment april 2020 by Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Gov. Yahaya Adoza Bello. According to the state government, his relief of appointment was due to one week late compliance of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy; a policy introduced in Kogi State by the State Government early 2020 that must be complied by all MDA’s and other government establishments in the state.
Even with the short time in office, Professor Atureta has made an uncommon name in the polytechnic within fifteen months as rector. He was loved and cherished by the entire students and staff of the institution due to his will to work and display of good leadership qualities. The Polytechnic wore a new look during his short time reign as the rector. He embarked on developmental stride and has the students and staff at heart. The good leadership of Professor M.S Atureta won him several awards and made the people of Kogi State and beyond to sympathize and celebrates him when he was relieved as Rector.
Below is the unprecedented stewardships/achievements of Professor M.S Atureta as the rector of Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja in just fifteen months in office:
1. Rehabilitation of road network in the polytechnic campus
2. Remodeling and rehabilitation of the main gate in the main campus
3. Normalization of the polytechnic relationship with Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND)
4. Maintenance and improvement on academic standards and drastic reduction of examination malpractice and other social vices
5. Regular meeting of statutory organs of the polytechnic (Academic Board, Management meeting, Polytechnic Assembly, etc).
6. Improvement on the campus security
7. Renovation of Osara Campus Students Hostels
8. Sport Development: The poly sports men and women participated in the Nigeria Poly Games (NIPOGA) and won medals. Rector’s cup competition was held
9. Encouraging responsible student’s unionism
10. Cordial relationship with regulatory body such as National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) at Kaduna
11. Cordial relationship with superintending Ministry and State House of Assembly
12. Efforts at resolving encroachment of polytechnic land at Itakpe campus
13. Preparation for resource visit and accreditation for polytechnic new academic programs to be introduced in Estate Management, Quantity Surveying, Mass Communication and Marketing
14. Completion of abandoned projects such as the New Library building, Schools of Agric workshop/ Laboratory and the Academic Staff offices in Osara etc.
15. Repairs of abandoned buses to ease students transportation
16. Inauguration of polytechnic Alumni Association
17. Reactivating the Entrepreneurship centre
18. Creation of Procurement Unit
19. Introduction of new courses and programs such as ND in Computer Engineering, Mechatronic engineering and HND in Civil Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering and Microbiology
20. Renovation of Eight (8) staff quarters
21. International Conference: Seven (7) staff was sponsored for international conference through Tetfund. The first of its kind since the inception of the polytechnic
22. Establishment of the Polytechnic Staff Nursing and Primary School
23. Preparation for combined convocation of five sets: 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019
24. Construction of sickbay clinic at Itakpe campus
25. Commencement of the perimeter fencing of Osara Campus
26. Procurement of eighteen (18) seater bus for management use through Tetfund
27. Construction of CBT examination hall
28. Cordial relationship with the Polytechnic Governing Council.
All these are the achievements of Professor M.S. Atureta during his short period as the rector of Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja.
For the unprecedented leadership and commitment of Professor M.S Atureta, He won himself Thirty Three (33) awards from various groups and Associations within and outside the institution.
