Kwara moves to end land dispute between Ahman Pategi University and host community
The Kwara State Government has assured the management and staff of Ahman Pategi University of the State government’s swift intervention in the on-going crisis between the Institution and its host community in the Patigi Local Government Area of the State.
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu stated this on Saturday when receiving a delegation from the University, led by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Kazeem Alagbe Gbolagade, at her office in Ilorin, the State capital.
Moddibo-Kawu emphasized that the state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has created an enabling environment for businesses and private institutions, including universities, while also committed to the welfare, protection of lives and property of the people of the State,
The Commissioner also noted the the Governor, has made substantial investments in the State’s security architecture, including the provision of modern security gadgets, purchased patrol vehicles, and motorcycles for security operatives across all the 16 local government areas in the State.
The Commissioner promised that the State government would not fold its arms and look while a critical educational institution faces threats that could disrupt its academic calendar and operations.
Hajia Modibbo, however, assured that Tertiary Education 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 the institutions and their host communities, noted that such synergy is vital for sustainability and peaceful coexistence among themselves.
Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor, Gbolagade appealed to the State Government to hasten the intervention to avoid being escalated, saying the host community had demanded the resignation of all principal officers and the closure of the entire University.
The Vice-Chancellor also recalled how thugs and hooligans had recently stormed the university campus to chase away security personnel and threatened to prevent staff members from accessing the premises.
“This is why we are here to seek for the support and assistance of the Kwara State Government, since the University is situated within its jurisdiction and we believe in the leadership and capacity of the State government to resolve this crisis”, Gbolagade said.
Ahman Pategi University, located in Patigi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, was established by the Late Politician and Former Member of the House of Representatives for Edu/Moro Federal Constituency.
