Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
The Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Dr. Abdul Jimoh Muhammed, yesterday, raised an alarm over threat to the security of lives and property of the institution in view of the alleged illegal occupation of the institution’s land.
Towards this end, Dr. Mohammed appealed to the state governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to come to the aid of the institution so as to avoid any unforeseen situation in the institution.
Mohammed stated this in Ilorin during a press conference to herald the 29th convocation ceremonies of the institution where about 8,350 students of the institution would be graduating.
He said that, “Entrance through the main gate of the Polytechnic presents a worrisome sight with unauthorized structures emerging on both sides of the road.
“The presence of these illegal structures poses a great challenge to the security of the institution”.
Mohammed added: “The management, though, appreciates the state government’s effort but we wish to appeal to the government to do more on stopping the menace of selling properties”.
He also said that, “The porosity of the Polytechnic permanent campus gives members of the neighbouring villages and land grabbers an opportunity to sell the vast plots of land for private use. This act is a serious threat to future expansion of the Polytechnic.
“We have expended huge amount of money on partnering with various security agencies in the area of provision of security.
“I therefore appeal to the state government, alumni association of the institution and well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the institution by constructing a fence round the Polytechnic campus as this will not only check encroachment but it will enhance security of lives and property of the institution”.
He also used the event to call on the state government to restore subvention to the institution to further assist it in terms of adequate funding to make it perform optimally.
Mohammed said that the institution was only able to make modest achievements despite the current economic situation of the country and ever increasing running cost, ranging from staff salaries to other recurrent expenses, because of prudent management of limited resources.
“Like any other institution, the polytechnic has problem of funding”, he said.
