The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Kwara State University (KWASU), Prof. Jimoh Shaykh-Luqman, says the institution’s community development and entrepreneurship mantras are a calculated attempt to impact positively on the host community.
Prof. Shaykh-Luqman said this on Saturday in Ilorin during the second graduation ceremony for trainees under the KWASU Centre for Women Development and Entrepreneurship.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the trainees underwent training in fashion designing, knitting and male cap-making, as well as other forms of vocational training.
KWASU prides itself on having community and entrepreneurship-oriented programmes designed to make life more bearable for the neighbouring communities,” the acting vice-chancellor, who was represented by Prof. Semi’i Arikewuyo, the Dean of the institution’s Faculty of Humanities, said.
He added that the KWASU slogan of “the Green University for Community Development and Entrepreneurship” was well thought-out to theoretically and practically bridge the gap “between the gown and town”.
Shaykh-Luqman commended former KWASU Vice-Chancellor, the late Prof. Mustapha Akanbi, for his foresight and resilience which gave birth to the establishment of KWASU Centre for Women Development and Entrepreneurship.
He said the late Akanbi’s footprints would continue to remain evergreen in the minds of all members of the KWASU community, as well as the general public.
The acting vice-chancellor also said his administration had replicated the Centre’s establishment in the two other senatorial districts of the state because of its significant impact on the community.
He said the ceremony to herald the opening of the two centres, which are located in Osi and Ilesha-Baruba, would take place this month.
Shaykh-Luqman lauded KWASU’s management, staff and students for giving him the necessary cooperation and support for a seamless and peaceful administration under his leadership.
Earlier in his address, the Director of the KWASU centre, Prof. Mubaraq Sanni, said 15 trainees were graduating as the second set while 10 trainees graduated in 2023.
Sanni who also doubles as the Chairman of the centre said the university provided monthly stipend for the trainees.
”This is in addition to the 15 industrial machines and 15 android phones they will go home with today (Saturday), just as it was done for the first set of trainees last year,” the director said.
He explained the rationale behind the stipend, saying it is to encourage the trainees and avoid absenteeism which might arise as a result of lack of transport fare.
Sanni added that the donation of machines and phones were meant to help them jump-start their businesses immediately after graduation.
“The phones will be of great help to them to advertise and sell their products via digital marketing,’’ he said.
Speaking also, Imam Gambari of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman AbdulAzeez, thanked the KWASU management for bringing such an impactful centre to their community.
