Academic activities are set to commence at the Osi and Ilesha Baruba Campuses of Kwara State University, KWASU, as the State Government intensifies infrastructural development at both locations, officials announced over the weekend.
Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr Mary Ayinde has disclosed that construction at Osi in Ekiti Local Government has reached 98 percent completion and is ready for use as students prepare to fully resume for the 2024/2025 academic session
“The completion of these two campuses marks another promise kept by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who vowed not to abandon the projects that began under his predecessor,” said the commissioner.
Prof. Binta A. Sulyman, Head of Osi Campus at Kwara State University confirmed that the campus is ready for its first batch of students. She outlined the facilities available, including offices, studios, lecture rooms, conference rooms, a 1,500-2,000 seat auditorium, car parks, shops, boreholes, electricity transformers, solar-powered streetlights, a student recreational/common room, a CBT computer center, and an arts gallery. Some of these facilities are already in place, while others are still in progress.
Students in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts at the newly established Faculty of Environmental Sciences are set to begin lectures on Monday, November 18, at the Osi campus. Meanwhile, students from the Faculty of Agriculture will start their sessions at the Ilesha Baruba Campus in January.
Dr. Arinde, expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far during an inspection visit on Saturday, accompanied by Prof. Sulyman and the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye.
“The buildings here are a clear testament to the quality of work done it’s superb. The construction is nearing completion, with more than 98 percent of the work finished. We are now focused on the finishing touches, particularly the surrounding environment, including the road networks, which are currently underway. We have experienced engineers and consultants on the project, and they are doing an excellent job,” said the commissioner.
“The delay in roadworks was due to waiting for the rains to subside, but we are now ready to lay the asphalt. Additionally, the area will be beautifully interlocked,” Dr. Arinde added.
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Prof. Sulyman also acknowledged the governor’s unwavering support for the project. “His hard work has endeared him to the communities where these campuses are located. The communities are all thrilled by the progress,” she noted.
Looking ahead, Prof. Sulyman confirmed that students in Fine and Applied Arts are already settled and ready to begin their studies next week. Additional departments will join the Osi campus in January, including Estate Management, Urban and Regional Development, Geography, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, and Building.
“I commend the governor for his immense contribution. His efforts and resources have been vital. At the beginning, the community lost hope, thinking such developments would never happen. Now, seeing this transformation, the community is overjoyed,” Dr. Arinde said.
“By January, more academic programs will commence, contributing to the economic growth of Osi and its surrounding areas,” Prof. Sulyman concluded, extending her gratitude to the governor for his efforts in bringing the project to fruition.
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