By Mansurat Amuda-Kainike, Ilorin
It is an open secret that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON) has consistently invested in the education sector as part of his efforts to build a better and brighter future for Kwara State, the State of Harmony. The Kwara State Ministry of Tertiary Education is not left out in this progressive agenda of the pro-masses Governor and a visionary leader.
The Ministry that is responsible for overseeing and developing the state’s public tertiary institutions has continued to count its blessings as a result of the various interventions of Mallam AbdulRazaq’s administration.
The Governor, during his first four-year tenure, injected life to three State-owned tertiary institutions by paying their outstanding salary/allowance arrears inherited from his predecessor, release of fund for accreditation of courses and providing the enabling environment for infrastructural development. His Excellency also extended the same gesture to the Aviation College and other institutions based on their needs.
It is, therefore, not surprising that Governor AbdulRazaq secured a second term mandate in the 2023 general elections. As a promise keeper, the governor continued to consolidate on the achievements of his first tenure by upgrading structural facilities and connecting the 33KVA line from Kwarapoly substation.
Furthermore, the Governor released bailout funds for Colleges of Education to meet some financial obligations in line with the recommendation of Visitation Panels. This intervention has helped these institutions to achieve a hitch-free academic activities and attract a lot of students due to their academic stability.
Besides, the State Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery in Ilorin and Oke-ode have been accredited by the Nursing Council of Nigeria to run programmes. The state government also constructed a hostel to address student’s accommodation challenges.
At the College of Health Technology, Offa, AbdulRazaq-led administration provided funds and other logistics support for full accreditation of nine courses; constructed two blocks of eight classrooms, and procured optometric equipment for the institution.
As if these were not enough, the current administration is making the International Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC), Ajase-Ipo, to live up to its core mandate of producing world class vocational training in order to meet demand for specialized skills in the state and beyond. The state government, under the present administration, usually distribute starter packs to graduating students to commence operation and make them productive as well as contribute to the state socio-economic development.
Similarly, the International Aviation College, Ilorin, which is the first state owned Aviation College in Nigeria, has been receiving attention from the APC government by providing support to make the college maintain global standards. The State Government recently procured GARMIN 1000 simulator (procedure trainer) for students and upgraded the existing simulator. The sincerity and commitment of this administration prompted the Nigerian Army and other corporate bodies to consider partnership with the college. It is exciting to note that popular BBC Naija, Miracle, is an alumni of the prestigious International Aviation College, Ilorin.
Apart from that, Governor AbdulRazaq in a bid to provide good learning and teaching environment for students and staff of the College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies, installed a new transformer in the institution to ensure regular electricity supply.
While the Ministry of Tertiary Education, under the leadership
of the Hon. Commissioner DR MARY RONKE ARINDE continued to formulate policies and guidelines for the administration and operation of tertiary institutions in the state, it also promotes equitable access to tertiary education, foster academic excellence, and facilitate institutional growth and innovation.
Above all, the Ministry of Tertiary Education is working tirelessly to implement the directive of His Excellency on the establishment of a State University of Education. The university, in my opinion, is not an audio promise, but one that would soon see the light of the day.
By and large, it is evident that Governor AbdulRazaq has done a lot within five years in the Tertiary Education to transform the sector into and an enviable standard and to the admiration of all and sundry.
Mansurat Amuda-kannike is the
Press Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Tertiary Education