Implementation Committee inspects facilities at the proposed site for Kogi University, Kabba
By Stephen Adeleye
Kabba (Kogi) The members of the Kogi State University (KSU) Kabba, Implementation Committee, have visited the proposed site for the establishment of the university for an on-the-spot assessment of the facilities.
The proposed site is the permanent site of Kogi College of Education Technical Kabba, in the Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area.
The delegation was led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Folashade Ayoade, and other members of the subcommittee.
Speaking to journalists on behalf of the Team Lead shortly after the facility tour on Tuesday in Kabba, Prof. Abayomi Oloruntoba, thanked the College Provost, Mrs. Victoria Jagboro, and her staff for taking the team around the facilities.
“We enjoyed the short visit and you will be hearing from us in due course.
“From my practical experience as a Professor who has traveled round the world, I think we can start with what we have on the ground here,” the don said.
The professor recalled that the University of Ibadan was established in 1948, with the temporary site at Eleyele, saying it was only two buildings that were used to kick-start the institution.
“What we have here in Kabba we don’t have in the University of Ibadan when it was established in 1948.
“So, we have seen fantastic structures here, and it will help the students and help the government to take off the university from this campus, this, I can confirm to you,” Oloruntoba said.
The team thereafter took the inspection tour to Technical College Mopa, Mopamuro Local Government, where the College of Education Technical Kabba would be relocated to.
At Mopa, the people who trooped out in large numbers were so ecstatic to welcome the delegation and the arrival of a higher institution in their domain.
Speaking on behalf of the communities and the traditional council, the former Kogi Governor, Rt Hon. Clearance Olafemi, thanked the committee for the facility inspection tour.
Olafemi, also a former Speaker of, the Kogi House of Assembly, appreciated the committee for demonstrating a high level of fairness, equity, and justice in the selection of Mopa as a relocated site for the College of Education.
He commended the Governor for the gesture of granting Mopa the opportunity to play host to the prestigious higher institution, saying the people of Mopa would be eternally grateful to him.
“We are resolutely prepared to do everything humanly possible to support this state institution to make it one of the best in the country”, Olafemi said
Speaking on behalf of the Team lead after the inspection, the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, said the delegation had seen the reality concerning the facilities on the ground and the tasks ahead.
“We are aware that it cost a lot to fund education on a sustainable basis, but I can assure you that the Government is prepared to do everything that is required to make the school function.
“We intend to convert the secondary school to a tertiary institution which will require a lot of funds, but the government is ready to take the bull by the horn,” the commissioner stated.
The 17-Man Implementation Committee of KSU Kabba is headed by Prof. Olu Obafemi, as the Chairman.
Other members of the delegation were: Commissioner for Finance and Budget Planning, Asiwaju Idris; Commissioner for Work and Housing, Samson Bako; Prof. Tolorunju Omolehin, Prof Gabriel Olorunleke, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi, among others.
