According to a news report from Punch, the Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with Kwara State University (KWASU) in Malete and the University of Ilorin to develop the state's metals and minerals sector.

Dr Afeez Abolore Alabi, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, disclosed this during visits to the campuses of the two universities. Speaking at the Department of Geology and Mineral Sciences at KWASU, the Commissioner highlighted the importance of the university's support in utilising past research to aid the state government's ongoing efforts to revitalise the solid minerals sector.

In response, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of KWASU, Prof. Sheikh Lukman Jimoh, represented by the university's Librarian, Prof. Abdulsalam Abiodun Salman, welcomed the initiative. He praised the Commissioner for the innovative and commendable approach of seeking synergy with the university to design a sustainable roadmap for the state's solid minerals sector.

He enthused that collaboration with the university would boost the socio- economic development of the state and contribute to the Internally Generated Revenue of Kwara State.

The Head of the Department of Geology and Minerals Science, Dr. Ajadi Jimoh who shared his broad experience in class and on the field, reeled out the necessary policies and regulations to be put in place by the state government.

He promised the school's readiness to collaborate with the government and called for a think-tank team to be inaugurated to herald the kind of growth and development anticipated by the government in the mining sector.

Similarly, the Head of Geology Department at the University of Ilorin, Professor Olabisi Adekeye disclosed that Kwara is blessed with abundant mineral resources with great revenue potentials, if properly harnessed.

Therefore, he thanked the state government and reiterated the institution's readiness to synergise with the ministry in order to move solid minerals development to the next level.

Also speaking at the department, Prof. Olusegun Ige, lauded the government as well, and especially for appointing a vibrant and result oriented Academic as the Commissioner who is prepared to turn the fortunes of the ministry around.

He further explained that minerals deposits are available in abundance across the 16 Local Government Areas of the State, and urged the government to urgently maximise the potentials of the sector for revenue drive.

Adeleke and Ige thanked the Commissioner and his team for taking a bold step to visit the Department and promised their readiness to support the government in promoting mining activities in the state.

The Director Geological Services, Mr Kunle Adimula thanked the two institutions for the warm reception accorded them and their resolve to support the ministry, while reiterating that the ongoing efforts by the ministry to secure enabling law to back mining operations in the state would yield the desired results in no time.