KWASU produces 1,705 graduates in 3 years

...as Pro-Chancellor demands more classrooms, electricity

With fresh 853 graduates, Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has produced 1,705 graduates since the varsity's inception in 2009, Pilot Education reports. So far, the varsity has held three convocation ceremonies, 2013, 2014 and 2015. No fewer than 853 graduates were turned out by the university at its third convocation held at the weekend.

Equally, it had convoked 236 during the first convocation in 2013, while 616 graduated in the second convocation held in 2014, putting the total number of graduands at 1,705 in the last three years. Miss Sa'adat Oluwakemi Gold, daughter of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Sola Gold was one of the fresh graduands. In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Abdulrasheed Na'Allah, described the graduating students as 'high-flying and community impacting individuals,' expressing hope that they would unleash their entrepreneurial skills learnt from the varsity by creating jobs and not seekers of employment. “I have left out the most important part of my speech to the last; it is to you our graduates. Congratulations, we are proud of you! You have passed through a rigorous training here at KWASU and now prepared to face the outside world. It is time to put into practice the entrepreneurial skills we have instilled in you through your creativity and innovation spirit. KWASU graduates do not have to roam the streets in search for job, you have been well equipped with the required skills to be employers of labour and be self-reliant. You can take advantage of our Entrepreneur fund to start up your business. You are no longer leaders of tomorrow; but leaders of today!” Na'Allah, remarked. While reiterating the state government's commitment to education, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Sola Gold, who represented Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, promised prompt release of the varsity's subvention. “KWASU's projects will always be at the front burner,” Gold assured, urging the graduands to justify the investment of their parents as well as that of the institution. The Chancellor, Prof Ibrahim Agboola Gambari noted that the government's support for the university is “unquantifiable and unprecedented,” urging well-meaning stakeholders to join hands as government, he said, cannot do it alone. Gambari said: “Accordingly, I want to appeal to those who are financially blessed to pick up the gauntlet and invest in University education. We cannot afford to leave the funding of university education to governments alone because relying solely on subventions from the government alone will only exacerbate the already dismal state of the sector. The universities should also not be left alone to struggle with the onerous task of generating revenue internally, the organised private sector, other organisations, staff and stakeholders alike must all rise together to pull the educational sector from this seeming morass.” The Acting Pro-Chancellor, who is also Dan Madamin of Ilorin, Alhaji Sheu Abdulgafar identified inadequate classrooms, electricity, water and road as part of the challenges confronting the institution, urging the government to come to their aid as part of its projects within 100 days in the second term.