Kwara govt wades into Ahman Patigi University crisis

Kwara State government has waded into the ongoing crisis between Ahman Patigi University and the host community in Patigi Local Government Area of the state.

State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa'adatu Modibbo Kawu, disclosed this when a delegation of the university led by the Vice-Chancellor, paid an official visit to her office in Ilorin.

Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Kazeem Alade Gbolagade, had appealed to the state government, through the commissioner, to urgently intervene and arrest the situation before it escalates.

He narrated how the host community demanded the resignation of all principal officers and the closure of the entire university, a move that could disrupt the entire upcoming academic semester.

The VC further disclosed how thugs and hooligans recently stormed the university's campus, chased away security personnel and threatened to prevent staff members from accessing the premises.

“This is why we are here to seek the support and assistance of the state government, since the university is situated within its jurisdiction and we believe in the leadership and capacity of the government to resolve this crisis,” Gbolagade stated.

In her response, the commissioner assured the management and the staff of the university of the state government’s swift intervention in the on-going crisis between the Institution and its host community.

She emphasized that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has created an enabling environment for businesses and private institutions, including universities, to thrive across the state.

The Commissioner promised that the state government would not fold its arms while a critical educational institution faces threats that could disrupt its academic calendar and operations.

Hajia Modibbo assured that her ministry will set up a fact-finding committee to engage all relevant stakeholders, including the university management, host community leaders, and security agencies, to investigate the circumstances and the remote causes of the crisis and recommend lasting solutions to the government.

The Commissioner, who further reiterated the importance of maintaining a cordial relationship between institutions and their host communities, noted that such synergy is vital for sustainability and peaceful coexistence among themselves.

“We want our private institutions to flourish. The relationship with the host communities must be one of mutual respect and understanding,” she asserted.