Students of Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, have commended the University of Ilorin for the warm reception accorded them during their four-day visit to the institution to understudy the operations of its Students' Union. The visit was part of the measures to strengthen the existing collaboration between Kenyatta University and the University of Ilorin.

At a luncheon organised in honour of the visiting officials of Kenyatta University Students Association (KUSA) and the Dean of Students Affairs, Kenyatta University, Dr Edwine Gimode, last Monday (March 14, 2016), the KUSA President, Mr. Werewere Sam, said that he and his colleagues were overwhelmed by the warm reception they received from the members of the Unilorin community.

Mr. Werewere, who also lauded the infrastructural development and the sound transformational leadership of the University of Ilorin, said: "I am so happy to be here today to express our sincere gratitude for your hospitality and gracious welcome you gave us throughout this time that we have been here in Nigeria. It has been a very memorable time that we have in Nigeria to have cultural exchange, to learn from you what is being done in the University of Ilorin and to share with you and I believe in one way or the other, you have also learnt much from us from Kenyatta University."

According to him, as future leaders in Africa, there was a critical need for close contact and interaction between students across the continent in order to address the collective challenges confronting African countries.

Mr. Werewere said, "If we have very close contacts and interactions at this level, then I believe even in the future, Kenya will be partnering Nigeria at greater levels because I believe whatever the mind can conceive, it can achieve. So, this is just the beginning of our long leadership and it does not end in the University. The reason why we are here is to develop our capacity for the future."

The Kenyan Students' leader said further, "We have learnt a lot; the Unilorin Students' Union is structured in a way that it is very comprehensive, very inspiring. We have learnt a lot and we are going to borrow some key things and most impressive among them, is the e-voting. We felt it is very important and it is an achievement because it is very hard to find universities that practice that. Although I learnt there were challenges, I have also learnt that you have been able to overcome the challenges.

Similarly in his remarks, the Dean of Student Affairs, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Dr. Edwine Gimode, also acknowledged the warm reception accorded them by the University of Ilorin.

Assuring that the hospitality was not taken for granted, Dr. Gimode said, "We are very thankful; I believe this visit will go a long way in making the MoU we have with the University of Ilorin stronger and more dynamic". He expressed the hope that "before the end of this calendar year, we will receive a delegation from Ilorin in Nairobi; when that happens, we will be waiting for you. When you feel you will be able to come, let us just know and the rest will be on us."

Speaking earlier, the Dean of Student Affairs, University of Ilorin, Prof. A. E. Talabi, represented by the Sub-Dean, Dr. A. Yusuf, commended the role played by the former and present Directors of the Centre for International Education (CIE), Prof. Olugbenga Mokuolu and Prof. M. O. Ibrahim, respectively, in the logistics support and for making the visit a success.

He told the guests: "Whatever you have enjoyed here, it is nothing that is new but part of our own tradition. We have not done anything special for you but, indirectly, we are telling other universities to continue to visit us and they will enjoy the same thing."

Dr. Yusuf, who also commended the conduct of the students of both universities, espoused the values of cultural diplomacy, saying, "We must understand ourselves; it is only when we understand ourselves that we live in harmony."

Also in his remarks, the Director of CIE, Prof. Ibrahim, said that the Kenyatta University delegation was always welcomed to Unilorin. He called for the strengthening of the relationships between the two universities through academic collaboration and linkages.

The President of the University of Ilorin Students' Union, Mr. Idris Alao, said that the visit of the Kenyan students offers an avenue for African students to interact. He expressed appreciation to the University authority for providing the platform to host the visiting Kenyatta University students. While praying for their safe return back to Kenya, Mr. Alao said, "We have been doing things almost in common as though they are part of the University of Ilorin; we also hope that very soon we will have the opportunity to return the visit."

Highlights of the luncheon, which climaxed the four-day visit, were the presentation of souvenirs by the Kenyatta University delegation to their hosts. Also present at the occasion were the Director, Unilorin Consultancy Services, Prof. Olugbenga Mokuolu; the Deputy Registrar, Student Affairs, Mrs. K. W. Sallee; the Assistant Directors, Centre for International Education, Dr. A. Abiodun and Dr. (Mrs.) Bakinde; staff members of the University of Ilorin; Executive Council members of the Kenyatta University Students' Association as well as Executive Council members of the Unilorin Students' Union.