…Why we dwell more on community development oriented programmes- KWASU Ag.VC
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Prof. Shaykh Luqman Jimoh has described the Community Development and Entrepreneurship mantras of the institution as a calculated attempt to impact positively on the society around which the KWASU is domiciled.
Prof. Jimoh made this known on Friday (January 12, 2024) during the second graduation ceremony of trainees who underwent a sound fashion designing, knitting and male cap making, vocational training under the ‘KWASU Center for Women Development and Entrepreneurship’ located at Akerebiata, area, Ilorin, the kwara state capital.
The Ag Vice Chancellor, who spoke through the Dean of Humanities, Prof. Semi’i Imam Arikewuyo, said KWASU is an institution that prides itself with community and entrepreneurship oriented programmes that are designed to make life more bearable for the neighbouring communities.
According to him, the KWASU slogan which is “…the Green University for Community Development and Entrepreneurship” is well thought out to theoretically and practically bridge the gap between the gown and town.
while saying that government alone cannot do everything for the masses, the KWASU boss explained that the gesture was in line with the third led of the tripartite functions of the University, the ‘Community Service’ which comes after ‘Teaching’ and ‘Research’.
The Ag. Vice Chancellor however gave kudos to the late KWASU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi SAN, for his foresight and resilience that gave birth to the establishment of KWASU Center for Women Development and Entrepreneurship and prayed God to continue to grant him an eternal rest.
He disclosed that late Prof M. M. Akanbi’s footprints would continue to remain evergreen in the minds of all members of the KWASU community as well as the general public.
The KWASU boss however disclosed that his administration has replicated the center in the other two senatorial districts of the state because of its significant impact on the community, saying that opening ceremony of the two centers, which are located in Osi and Ilesha-Baruba, will take place this same January.
He therefore commended the management, staff and students of the institution for giving him maximum cooperation and support that herald seamless and peaceful administration under his leadership as the Ag. Vice Chancellor.
Earlier in his address, the Director of KWASU Entrepreneurship Center who also doubles as the Chairman of the KWASU Center for Women Development and Entrepreneurship, Professor Mubaraq Sanni disclosed that 15 trainees are graduating at this second set while the 10 trainees graduated last year.
He informed that the training is free adding that the University equally provided monthly stipend for the trainees and has purchased 15 industrial machines and 15 android phones they will go home with today, pointing out that same was done for the first set of trainees last year.
According to him, the rationale behind the stipend is to encourage them and avoid absenteeism that might arise as a result of lack of transport fare while the donation of machines and phones were meant to help them jump-start their business immediately as the phone will be of great help for them to advertise and sell their products via digital marketing.
In his comment, the Imam Gambari of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman AbdulAzeez, and President of Balogun Gambari Development Association Engr Jamagada, thanked the KWASU management for bringing such an impactful center to their community.
Imam Gambari of Ilorin addressing the audience
Also present at the ceremony included the KWASU Registrar Dr (Mrs) Sallee W. Kikelomo, the University Bursar Alhaji Abubakar Muhammed, the University Librarian Prof. Saliman Abdulsalam, Coordinator of KWASU Center for Community Development Dr Abdulfatahi Akosile, Alangua Ibagun mallam Zarakariyah Iyanda Abdulmalik among others.
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