The Association of Business Educators of Nigeria (ABEN) has bestowed its highest honour ‘Distinguished Fellowship Award’ on the Executive Governor of Kogi State, for his immense role in Educational advancement in Kogi State. 

At the ABEN’s 33rd Annual National Conference with the theme: “Business Education and Future Directions” held at the Hall ‘A’ of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, the professional body also honoured and decorated the Rectors of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja and the Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman and Dr. David Danjuma Baba, for their contributions to the growth of business education in the institutions and the education sector generally. 

President of ABEN, Professor Chika Ile told the gathering that Governor Bello deserved the Distinguished Merit Award for his exemplary performance in educational development and governance which is evident on the pace of development witnessed at the State owned tertiary institutions.

Prof. Ile added that Dr.  Usman and Dr. Baba were inducted as fellows of the Association for their contributions to the infrastructural and human development in Business Education. 

The National President of ABEN said this year’s theme for the conference became necessary as the new order in education demand for new approaches and techniques for teaching and learning which required the integration of critical digital skills to strengthen the future of business education. 

The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic who was also the Key Note Speaker, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman said the need for Business Education will continue to be on the rise in view of the new normal occasioned by Covid-19 and adverse economic situation in the country and the world at large.

The Rector noted that Government is expecting stakeholders in education to harness efforts in order to mitigate the adverse impact of the current situation to ensure that education continues to contribute to sustainable national development.

Dr. Usman expressed the view that with the way society is experiencing dynamism, there is need for Business Educators to be in tune with that by incorporating new structures and technologies to their practice and teachings. 

He expressed confidence in the Conference to bring about practicable models and recommendations that will help office workers such as secretaries, administrative office managers, office managers, receptionists among others to remain relevant both in business world and in the academia. 

The Kogi State Polytechnic Rector commended the ABEN for choosing the institution as the host for the conference, thanking them for the honor as the Fellow of the Association and also promised to be a proud and supportive member of ABEN.

His counterpart from Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Dr. David Danjuma Baba who was elated with the recognition, charged the leadership of ABEN to maintain its standard of constant introduction of new innovations that will see business educators remain relevant in sustaining national development. 

Other parts of the opening day of the Conference were launching and presentation of the 2-Volume publication of the Nigerian Journal of Business Education, 2021 edition. 

The opening day of the Conference was attended by all Principal Officers of Kogi State Polytechnic and Federal Polytechnic, Idah, representative of the Vice Chancellor, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Business Education experts as well as students of Office Technology and Management (OTM) from various institution amongst others.

Uredo Omale 

Head, Public Relations and Protocol Unit.

Kogi State Polytechnic, 

Lokoja.