Date: 2021-05-29

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulyman Age Abdulkareem, has saluted the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on his second anniversary in office, saying it is obvious that the governor is poised to leave the state better than he met it.

Prof. Abdulkareem, who gave this commendation in a congratulatory message to the governor at the weekend, said that Mallam AbdulRazaq has made a huge impact on the state in the last two years. In a statement signed by the University's Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, the Vice-Chancellor remarked that the last two years of the present administration in the state has been very peaceful, eventful and fruitful. Prof. Abdulkareem specifically commended the governor for the increasing investment of the state government in education, which, he said, would lead the state to regaining its previous position as a bastion of learning.

He added that the conducive environment being provided by the government of Kwara State for the private sector to thrive has eventuated in the establishment and approval of the location of three additional private universities for the state within the Governor's geographical constituency. He said that the establishment of the universities, in addition to those already on ground, has not only secured a more comfortable space for the state in the map of the nation's university system but also serves as a worthy complement to the tireless efforts of the University of Ilorin.

Prof. Abdulkareem also commended the Kwara State Government for its collaboration with the nation's most sought-after University, recalling that the University was not only fumigated to halt the spread of the perilous Coronavirus disease but was also extensively patronised by the state government in the heat of the pandemic for the production and supply of hand-sanitiser among other forms of collaborations over the years.

The Vice-Chancellor also paid glowing tributes to the Governor for always giving products and staff of the University the privilege of serving in his administration and holding key positions in most of the State-owned institutions of higher learning, saying that the position of Chief Executives of all the institutions of higher learning owned by the State are currently being held by products of the University of Ilorin.

He opined that there could be no better way of appreciating the contributions of the University by anyone or institution than prioritising and fraternising with its products.

The Vice-Chancellor, however, appealed for more positive collaborations between the Kwara State Government and the University, explaining that as the biggest federal government establishment in Kwara State and as an institution that provides opportunities for university education for the greater percentage of the youths of the State, the University deserves the greatest support it could get from the present administration.

He, therefore, called for support in the area of provision of more infrastructural facilities to enhance teaching and learning and community services. He also called for the possible expansion and consistent rehabilitation of the road linking the University with the town, saying that the volume of traffic on the road on daily basis shows that the road should never be abandoned to deteriorate.

The Vice-Chancellor wished Governor AbdulRazaq a more peaceful and fruitful tenure of office.