By Biodun Esan (Ilorin)
Students of Kwara State origin have commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on the huge investment in education sector.
The students, under the aegis of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Students’ Support Group (AASSG) gave the commendation on Wednesday at a two-day Education Reform Dialogue in Ilorin.
The students spoke to te theme; “Unlocking the Power of Education Reform for Equitable Growth in the 21st Century.”
They engaged in a critical analysis of the administration’s performance in human capital development and infrastructural growth across key sectors.
The Dialogue which took place in the Mandate hall of the State Radio Broadcasting Corporation, Ilorin was moderated by the State House of Assembly candidate for Owode/Onire Constituency under the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Rukayat Shittu.
The event featured some students of the State Colleges of Education; College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS); Kwara State University Malete (KWASU); Kwara State Polytechnics in Ilorin and Lafiagi; University of Ilorin and the National Open University of Nigeria.
The event was attended by some government officials, students’ union leaders and other stakeholders which include the Special Assistant to the State Governor on New Media, Fafoluyi Michael Solace; Special Assistant on Political (Central) Prince Suleiman Abubakar Sai Kai; State APC Youth Leader Lawal Suleiman Duduyemi; Convener of the Group Comrade Salami Wasiu Onidugbe; and Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Kwara State Branch Comrade Salman Yusuf Issa among others.
In his remarks, Solace said what Governor AbdulRazaq has achieved across key sectors in the State were obvious and have surpassed records of his predecessors in the recent past.
He appreciated the students’ group for their insightful analysis of the government’s programs and their unflinching support for it to succeed.
Solace said Governor AbdulRazaq was not only making good impacts on human capital development and school infrastructure, but also on the road network, saying no less than 1,000 kilometres of road has been constructed by the government in the last three years.
He said some of the ongoing road projects particularly the Idiagbon Tanke bridge would be completed before the end of 2023.
Solace said that the main reason for constructing the bridge was to ease traffic for motorists especially the staff and students of the University of Ilorin who mostly ply the road.
The Governor’s aide also said the government has done enough in creating enabling platforms for the youth to harness their potentials and become successful in life.
He appealed to the students to remain focused and do away with social vices.
Sai Kai, in his remark, charged students to endeavor to register for their PVCs before the close of voters registration in July ending, and work for the victory of the Governor and other APC candidates in the coming elections.
He added that it was imperative for students and youth to step up their interest in political participation, noting such would help in electing representatives of their choice as well as make their interest properly served.
NANS Chairman in the State, Comrade Issa observed that the government has continued to prioritize the education sector to enhance learned citizenry, which he said guarantees a better future for the youth.
The union leader said it will be unfair for any individual scoring the present administration low on performance rating with particular reference to its huge investment in school infrastructure.
“I challenge the critics of Governor AbdulRazaq particularly those who talk on social media to measure his performance on education.
“You will never hear them criticizing him on the educational sector.
“If the policy of governance is centered on education like we are having in Kwara State, definitely we will have a better future,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Coordinator of the Group, Comrade Salami Wasiu Onidugbe, said the event was organized to further showcase the policies, programmes and achievements of the present government in the education sector.
Some of the participants took turns to highlight some of the capital projects the government has executed to improve teaching and learning in their schools.
These, include the completion of the State Polytechnic Students’ hostel, accreditation of its vital courses and establishment of the Institution’s FM Radio Station.
Other projects mentioned were the rehabilitation of the KWASU Campus road and accreditation of some of its courses; payment of the inherited N700 million backlog of salary arrears for the staff of the College of Education Ilorin.
They also include provision of e-library and newly approved establishment of a state-of-the-art Radio Station in the State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS), among others.
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