The Coalition of Kwara North Groups (CKNG) has strongly berated the
marginalisation of their zone in selection process for new Vice
Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete.
CKNG in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Comrade Musa Idris
Buko and General Secretary, Comrade Mohammed Salihu, condemned opacity
and attempt to foist a section of the state over others.
The statement reads: “CKNG’s attention has been drawn to secrecy in
the selection process for emergence of a new VC of Kwara State
University, Malete, in order to pave way for a preferred candidate,
who is the son of a late anti-corruption Czar from a section of the
state that had held sway in leadership of the institution for an
uncommon consecutive double tenure of a decade, as the pioneer VC of
KWASU.”
It would be recalled that CKNG on Wednesday 22nd of May, 2019, issued
a strong statement where it advocated due process and fairness in
selection of the new KWASU Vice Chancellor.
The group said its stance was contrary to what played out in the
unceremonious sack and consequent return to office of Prof.
Abdulrasheed Na’Allah by the last administration, where it was painted
ethnic colouration and an infamous “Location Theory” forwarded by a
section of the state, which CKNG out rightly debunked with superior
posture of the constitution.
“For the umpteenth time, CKNG had decried the marginalisation of Kwara
Northerners in but not limited to tertiary educational institutions
owned by the federal and state governments; that of KWASU is just one
out of many.”
The group alleged that out of the six members of the selection board
of KWASU, five (5) members are from a section of the state, one from
another, and no representation from Kwara North which in the first, is
wrong and strengthens the figment that some state-owned institutions
are exclusively reserved for a section of Kwara State.
“For how long will the State of Harmony that belongs to all short
change Kwara North, even though the zone constitutes 75.34 per cent
(the largest) landmass and 31.90 per cent (the second largest)
population of Kwara State?
“CKNG therefore urges the visitor of KWASU, His Excellency, Alh.
Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, to thoroughly look into the process of
selection of candidates for the position of the VC, so as to ensure
due process, justice, equity, fairness, transparency and competence.”
Quality education only panacea to Nigeria’s problems – Kwara Dep Gov
Kwara State Deputy Governor, Mr. Kayode Alabi has described quality
education as the only solution to the nation’s challenges.
Alabi made this known on Friday in his office when he received members
of the Governing Council of the University of Ilorin (Unilorin), led
by its Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Jibril Oyekan.
Alabi, who decried the ugly trend of anti-social behaviour in the
country, identified sound and qualitative education as a potent tool
to achieving a decent and prosperous society.
“Without proper and quality education, this country cannot move
forward,” he said.
He however, affirmed that the right education is a powerful tool to
fight corruption and other social problems that are bedevilling the
country, even more than the anti-graft agencies.
Alabi, who was very elated with the rising profile of Unilorin, said
the institution has become a pride to the entire Kwara State and
commended the management of the university for making it a leading
centre of learning in the country.
He, therefore, urged the authority of the university to continue to
keep the flag of the institution flying, saying that the institution’s
positive impact is being felt in and outside the country.
Earlier, Oyekan said the visit was to welcome the new government in
the state and to identify with it, recalling that the institution and
the state government have been enjoying a long time cordial working
relationship.
He said the university has made its marks as the most sought after
institution in Nigeria with track record, just as he promised good
working relationship with the present administration in the state.
In another development, members of the Ambassadors Club of Oro-Ago,
which the Deputy Governor belongs to, also paid him a courtesy visit.
Led by their President, Dr. Ayo Oni, they congratulated Governor
Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and Alabi for their victory in the polls and
prayed to God to guide and imbue them with the wisdom to steer the
ship of the state safely.
Replying, Alabi who described his emergence as a miracle, pledged that
the present administration was committed to the development of the
state.
Specifically, he said he would do all within his powers to ensure that
development touched Kwara South in particular and all parts of the
state in general, adding that the governor was committed to making
Kwara a better place than he met it.
