• Presents New Buses to Student Bodies
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Saturday inaugurated the Governing Council of the Kwara State University of Education (KWSUED), marking a significant milestone for the establishment of the university.
The inauguration is seen as a crucial step towards the official commencement of the school, which has been an initiative of the current administration.
The newly inaugurated 11-member council is chaired by Prof. Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, an Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), who will also serve as the pro-chancellor.
Other members of the council include Mrs. Opaleke Bukola Iyabo, Hajia Risikat Lawal, Rotimi Samuel Olujide, Prof. Umar Gunu, Engr. Saad Belgore, Mr. Femi Aina, Omowumi Amuda, Hajia Kubra Kazum, Prof. Ibrahim Abdukadir Abikan, and Pastor Afolayan Joseph Babatunde, representing the Ministry of Tertiary Education.
Governor AbdulRazaq, in his address to the council, emphasized the importance of KWSUED in shaping the educational landscape of the state and the nation.
“This university is a child of necessity to position Kwara and its people for a sustainable future in education and related disciplines,” he said.
He noted that the institution would serve as a successor to the College of Education Ilorin, while also setting a standard for other colleges in the state amid changing realities.
He expressed confidence in the council’s ability to guide the university’s development, urging them to ensure the institution becomes a center of excellence in academic discipline and research.
“With the caliber of the intellectuals, administrators, and statesmen on this Council, I am confident that you will midwife a seamless transition and build a new university of education that will be the envy of all,” he said.
The Governor further emphasized the importance of operating the university in a financially sustainable manner, urging the council to avoid creating unnecessary wage burdens.
Governor AbdulRazaq also appointed Oba Ismail Yahya Alebiosu, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, as the Chancellor of the university. The event was attended by key state officials, including State APC Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi, Deputy Chief of Staff Princess Bukola Babalola, and Commissioner for Tertiary Education Dr. Mary Arinde, among others.
Dr. Arinde commended the Governor for his visionary leadership, which led to the creation of the university. She praised his commitment to the educational development of the state and the careful selection of the council members.
“This occasion marks a significant step in advancing the vision and mission of the university, and in shaping the future of education in the state,” she said.
On his part, Prof. Abdulraheem expressed gratitude to the Governor for his dedication to advancing Kwara’s educational sector. He recognized education as the foundation of any society, stressing that the Governor’s commitment to providing quality education is remarkable.
“Committing yourself to funding qualitative education is not just a political decision; it is more rewarding and you are discharging it very well,” he stated.
He also highlighted the gender-sensitive approach the Governor took in forming the council, emphasizing that it reflects his integrity.
In addition to the inauguration of the governing council, Governor AbdulRazaq presented new buses to two major student organizations in the state: the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Kwara axis and the National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS).
The presentation was a gesture aimed at supporting students’ activities and enhancing their mobility.
NANS Comrade Issa Abdulgafar Arikewuyo and NAKSS President Abdulwahab Ridwan, in their remarks, thanked the Governor for his continued support for students in the state.
Arikewuyo described the donation as “a blessing in many folds,” highlighting the positive impact the Governor’s initiatives have had on Nigerian students in Kwara.
