By Mike Adeyemi
The outgoing Provost of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin Dr. Isiaka Saka Opobiyi has described scarcity of fund as his major challenge in his 5 years reign.
Opobiyi who took over administration of the institution in 2013 will be bowing handing over at the end of the month to the incoming Provost, Dr AbdulRaheem Yusuf.
Opobiyi described financial challenge as the biggest blow on his administration; though he traced the problem to downturn in the global economy.
Speaking shortly after a prayer session organised in his honour by the Non Academic Staff Union at the college’s central mosque last week, Opobiyi said despite the financial challenge under his leadership, he did not owe any of the workers.
He said, “We could have achieved more but for the problem of paucity of fund which is quite unfortunate.
“The problem emanated from the drop in federal allocation as oil prices crashed globally.
“Amidst the tough financial situation, we found ourselves; I still appreciate God as I did not owe staff salary.”
He however appreciated the state government for the opportunity to serve and also, the steps taken in order to strengthen its fiscal policy.
“Sincerely, I am glad I was able to improve on what I met on ground both physically and curriculum wise. Also, in the area of staff status and students’ welfare, we made appreciable progress,” he stated.
Opobiyi applauded the organisers of the prayer saying, “I really appreciate this prayer which further proves that we are one big family in this college and I will continue to do my best even after leaving office as provost.”
Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of Non Academic Staff Union of the college, Com. Najeem Anas said the prayer was organised to seek Allah’s protection for both the outgoing and incoming provost.
“The new Provost, AbdulRaheem Yusuf is coming in at a time the college is going though financial challenge and it can only take Allah’s intervention for it to be solved, Anas disclosed.
While highlighting the failure to back up the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 promotion of staff with the salary scale, Anas commended Dr Opobiyi for his various contributions to the development of the college.
