Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has lamented the persistent menace of land encroachment within the school’s perimeter fence, urging the state government to urgently intervene.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, disclosed this during his convocation address at the weekend, revealing that there are villages within the varsity’s premises and pleading with the government to address the
issue and relocate the affected settlements.
Admitting that the institution has faced this challenge for years, Jimoh stated:
“Encroachment on KWASU lands was another challenge highlighted in my last convocation address. Currently, we are in an interface with the Kwara State Geographical Information Service to permanently address the issue.
“We have villages situated within the precinct of the university which must be relocated,” he appealed.
He added that a committee involving the Ministry of Justice, KWAGIS, the communities, and the school has been set up “to work out whatever modalities would be mutually beneficial to all concerned.”
The Vice-Chancellor also listed inadequate hostel facilities and poor road infrastructure as major challenges confronting the university.
During the convocation ceremony, the VC announced that 71 out of 6,891 graduating students bagged First Class degrees from the 6,374 first-degree honours, while 517 students received postgraduate degrees for the 2023/2024 academic session.
According to him, 1,828 students graduated with Second Class (Upper Division), 3,501 with Second Class (Lower Division), 974 with Third Class, 468 with Master’s degrees, and 49 with PhDs.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, highlighted that the council and management have maximised partnerships with private investors to improve facilities in the school.
He added that efforts are ongoing to further enhance KWASU’s infrastructure through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
He also charged the graduating students to showcase the rigorous training and discipline acquired during their time at KWASU and be good ambassadors of the institution and their families.
In his keynote address, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commended the university’s management team, saying the convocation and the awards therein underscored the determination and resilience of the administration in positioning KWASU as a leading citadel of learning.
Represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Mary Arinde, the governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to advancing education in the state.
(Guardian)
