Bello stated this on Saturday at the 4th Convocation ceremonies of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, for 10 sets of graduating students from 2013 to 2022.
Bello said part of his achievements were evident in the repositioning of Kogi Polytechnic and other state tertiary Institutions, saying, “I came, saw and will be leaving the state better than I met it”.
”My achievements can be attested to by where the State Polytechnic was before my assumption of office, where it is now and how we have repositioned it for the future.
”We have taken time to look into the education sector for the benefit of our people; we made education a top priority in our thematic agenda.
”We did not only improve on the infrastructure and learning in our tertiary institutions, but also expanded our educational institution through the establishments of two additional universities.
“This will enable our children not to travel far to seek for knowledge within four years of our second term administration.
“By 16th January 2024, the first set of students would be matriculated at the newly-established Kogi State University, Kabba,” Bello said.
Bello appreciated Kogi people for their modest contribution by resoundingly voting for the Governor-elect, Alhaji Ahmed Dodo, in the November 11, 2023, governorship elections, as his successor.
The governor assured that Ododo’s administration would build and take the achievements made by his administration to the next level.
He appealed to the people to accord more support for the Governor-elect to enable him achieve greater successes.
Bello, the visitor to the university, thanked the Chairman of the Governing Council, Staff, and Students of the Polytechnic for the cooperation his administration enjoyed.
The governor eulogised the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Salisu Ogbo, for his outstanding achievements which had made the Polythecnic an of envy among others, saying it is worthy of emulation across the world.
”To the Rector, I say I’m proud of you. I’m indeed very proud of you. and I will forever be proud of you,” Bello said.
The governor commended TETFUND and other donors and financial agencies for their contributions to the repositioning of the Polytechnic.
Earlier, the Rector praised the governor for his unflinching support towards the successes recorded, describing his appointment as a rare privilege, and thanked the governor for finding him worthy to serve.
Ogbo said he was able to use his three “RRRs” agenda of Repair, Reform and Restore, to return the lost glory of the Polytechnic to one of envy.
“The Polythecnic now pride’s itself as an institution committed to graduating students who are employers of labour in the country.
“A total of 145 students are graduating with Distinction at the National Diploma (ND) level, while 104 students are graduating with Distinction at Higher National Diploma (HND) level from various Schools and Departments.
“A total of 7,653 students are graduating with National Diploma while 4,427 students are graduating with Higher National Diploma,” Ogbo said.
On his part, the institution’s Governing Council Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Isa, said the council would continue to support the Polytechnic to prioritise academic and personal development of students,
Isa promised that the Polytechnic would strive to provide the needed tools and resources for students to continue to succeed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor was conferred with a Fellowship of the Polytechnic Award for his improvement in infrastructure and in human capital development.
Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi (Middle) with other AWARDEES of the Fellowship of Kogi Polytechnic, during the 4th Convocation ceremonies on Saturday in Lokoja
Alh. Ozi Salami also bagged fellowship of the institution for sinking several boreholes and for granting scholarship to several students of the Polytechnic.
Similarly, Barr. Umoru Jimoh, Prof. Idris Bugaji of NBTE and Barr. Moses Okafor were also conferred with Fellowship of the institution.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027, shortly after securing another four-year term as governor of the state.
Adeleke made the declaration in his victory speech following his successful re-election in the August 15 governorship election, where he contested under the Accord Party after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor’s renewed endorsement of Tinubu adds another significant dimension to his remarkable political journey. Adeleke won his first term as governor in 2022 on the PDP platform but subsequently moved to Accord ahead of the 2026 election, successfully defending his seat as an incumbent under his new party.
Adeleke Praises Tinubu After Election Victory
In his post-election remarks, Adeleke expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, who had called to congratulate him on his victory.
The Osun governor praised the President for what he described as his role in ensuring that democracy continued to thrive, while acknowledging Tinubu’s congratulatory gesture following the election.
Adeleke’s comments represent a notable development given the political rivalry and tensions that characterized the build-up to the Osun election.
Before the poll, the governor had repeatedly called on the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. His campaign also exchanged accusations with the APC over the conduct of the electoral process and the role of federal authorities.
Renewed Support for Tinubu’s 2027 Ambition
Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu for 2027 is not entirely new.
The governor had previously declared his support for Tinubu’s re-election campaign before the Osun governorship election. In June, while formally launching his Accord Party re-election campaign, Adeleke described his support for the President as “unshaken and total.”
He again reaffirmed that position after winning the Osun election, emphasizing his continued backing for the President’s second-term ambition. Vanguard and Punch both reported the governor’s renewed endorsement following his victory.
Adeleke also described Tinubu as a son of Osun, further highlighting the personal and political connection he says exists between the President and the state.
Adeleke’s Historic Political Switch
The endorsement comes just days after Adeleke achieved a major political feat by retaining the Osun governorship despite switching parties.
The governor was elected in 2022 as a PDP candidate but later abandoned the party following a prolonged internal crisis. He subsequently joined Accord and secured the party’s ticket to contest the 2026 election.
His decision created considerable political uncertainty because he was defending his position as an incumbent governor without the PDP structure that had originally brought him to power.
Adeleke ultimately overcame the challenge, winning another term under Accord and strengthening his position as one of the country’s most prominent politicians outside the traditional major-party platforms.
Tinubu Congratulates Adeleke
President Tinubu has also congratulated Adeleke on his re-election, describing the result as a reflection of the will of the people.
The President said the outcome demonstrated that democracy continues to flourish in Nigeria and urged the governor to use his renewed mandate to serve the people of Osun State.
The development creates an interesting political dynamic ahead of 2027, with Adeleke now firmly positioned as an Accord governor who is publicly supporting the incumbent President’s re-election bid.
For Adeleke, the immediate priority will be delivering on the mandate he has just received from Osun voters. But his decision to publicly back Tinubu also signals that his political calculations extend beyond the state and into the increasingly important national contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
After securing a historic second term under Accord, Adeleke has now turned his attention toward the next political battle — throwing his weight behind Tinubu’s bid to remain President beyond 2027.
Jubilation has erupted across Osun State after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke the winner of the 2026 governorship election, securing another four-year term in office.
Adeleke, the candidate of the Accord Party, polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who recorded 444,815 votes. The result gave Adeleke a winning margin of 66,252 votes.
The governor’s victory was formally announced early Sunday at the INEC collation centre in Osogbo by the Returning Officer, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, following the collation of results from the state’s 30 local government areas.
Adeleke won 19 of the 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in the remaining 11, highlighting the closely fought nature of the contest despite the eventual margin in the overall vote tally.
The African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished a distant third with 17,180 votes, while the other candidates shared the remaining votes.
Celebrations Break Out
News of Adeleke’s victory triggered celebrations among his supporters across the state, with party loyalists and residents taking to the streets to celebrate his return to the Osun Government House.
One of the most prominent reactions came from Afrobeats superstar Davido, Adeleke’s nephew, who had played an active role in his uncle’s campaign. Shortly after INEC announced the result, Davido posted “WE DID IT UNC!!!” on X alongside a video of himself celebrating the victory.
Davido had served as chairman of the Imole Youth Mobilisation Campaign Council and had been heavily involved in mobilising young voters for his uncle during the campaign.
Adeleke Extends His Stay in Government House
Adeleke’s re-election gives him another four years to pursue his administration’s agenda after first winning the Osun governorship election in 2022.
His victory also represents a significant political achievement for the Accord Party, as the governor successfully defended his position against a strong challenge from the APC.
The election was held across Osun’s 30 local government areas on Saturday, with the final results collated into the early hours of Sunday before INEC made the declaration.
With his victory now officially announced, Adeleke is set to begin another four-year tenure as governor of Osun State, while supporters who gathered to celebrate his success hailed the result as a fresh mandate from the people.
For the opposition APC, the defeat means another setback in its attempt to regain control of the South-West state.
The outcome also brings an end to an intensely contested election that attracted significant attention across Nigeria, with Adeleke ultimately emerging victorious and securing his place at the helm of Osun State for another term.