By Oke Rotimi and Akin Fanodun
The Vice-Chancellor of Kogi State University (KSU), Kabba, Prof. Kehinde Eniola, has been honoured with the Prestigious Tertiary Institutions Leadership Award by Democracy Newsline Newspaper in recognition of his contributions to the development and administration of tertiary education in Nigeria.
Prof. Eniola dedicated the award to the Governor of Kogi State and Visitor to the university, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, as well as the management, staff and students of the institution, saying that the achievements recorded by the university were the result of collective efforts.
The award, according to the newspaper, was presented to Prof. Eniola in recognition of his leadership qualities, commitment to academic excellence, institutional development and efforts towards repositioning Kogi State University, Kabba, as a competitive centre of learning, research and innovation.
According to the Publisher, Chief Olugbemi Femi, the Vice-Chancellor was originally scheduled to receive the award during the newspaper’s 16th Public Lecture and Induction Ceremony held in Abuja a few weeks ago. However, due to his tight schedule, Prof. Eniola could not attend the ceremony.
He said the management of the newspaper therefore decided to present the award to the Vice-Chancellor at the conference hall of the university in Kabba.
Presenting the award, the management of Democracy Newsline Newspaper described Prof. Eniola as a distinguished academic and administrator whose leadership has continued to contribute to the growth and development of the institution.
The newspaper noted that effective leadership remains critical to the advancement of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, particularly at a time when universities are expected to provide quality education, promote research and innovation, and produce graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
The award also recognises Prof. Eniola’s dedication to creating an environment conducive to teaching, learning and research, as well as his commitment to strengthening the relationship between the university and its host communities.
Speaking during the presentation, the management congratulated the Vice-Chancellor on the honour, stressing that the recognition reflected the confidence reposed in his leadership and contribution to the educational sector.
The newspaper further encouraged Prof. Eniola to sustain his efforts towards advancing academic standards and institutional development, noting that universities have an important role to play in Nigeria’s quest for sustainable development.
Responding, Prof. Kehinde Eniola expressed appreciation to the management and editorial board of Democracy Newsline Newspaper for considering him worthy of the prestigious recognition.
He dedicated the award to Governor Usman Ododo, the Visitor to the university, as well as the management, staff and students of Kogi State University, Kabba, saying that the progress being recorded by the institution was a product of collective commitment.
Prof. Eniola also paid tribute to the visionary founder of the institution, former Governor Yahaya Bello, acknowledging his foresight in establishing the university.
He said he was determined to build the university to world-class standards, stressing that, as a representative of the hundreds of professors produced by Okunland, he had a responsibility to ensure that the institution succeeds.
According to him, his ambition is to make Kogi State University, Kabba, one of the leading institutions not only in Nigeria but also internationally.
The Vice-Chancellor also expressed appreciation to Dr. John Adegboye, an indigene of Aiyedun-Egunbe, Kabba, for single-handedly constructing a 1,600-capacity theatre hall at the university.
He described the project as the largest theatre hall in Kogi State and disclosed that it was about 90 per cent completed.
Prof. Eniola said he was committed to ensuring that the institution continued to grow on a solid foundation, promising to put structures in place that would sustain the university beyond his tenure.
He said he would work towards leaving behind a strong institutional foundation for the next administration when his tenure ends in about 24 months.
Speaking on the institution’s agricultural development programme, Prof. Eniola said that although the School of Agriculture had yet to fully commence academic activities, the university had already begun practical agricultural production in partnership of AcreSal through its greenhouse.
He disclosed that the institution was currently cultivating red pepper in the greenhouse, noting that the produce was being sold at a considerably lower price than in some other parts of the country.
According to him, while a kilogramme of the produce could sell for about ₦9,000 in Jos, it was being sold for about ₦4,000 at the university.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that the institution was not established solely for academic learning, but would also engage in productive ventures capable of benefiting the university community and the wider society.
Prof. Eniola commended Governor Usman Ododo for building on the foundation laid by his predecessor, former Governor Yahaya Bello.
He disclosed that the university had recently received two additional coaster buses from the state government, bringing the number of coaster buses available to the institution to four.
The Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed his commitment to promoting academic excellence, research, innovation and the overall development of the university.
He also commended Democracy Newsline Newspaper for recognising individuals and institutions contributing to national development through its awards and public lecture initiatives.
During the visit, the Democracy Newsline Newspaper team also toured the university campus to inspect completed and ongoing projects.
The team visited the ongoing Senate Building, the School of Science and Computing, the newly completed two-storey theatre-hall building comprising 12 lecture halls of different capacities, which can accommodate more than 1,000 students from different courses and faculties at the same time.
The team also inspected the university library and hostel accommodation for male and female students, with the hostel projects said to be about 98 per cent completed.
The Dean of the Faculty of Science and Computing, Dr. Lamidi Yusuf, praised the Kogi State Government under the leadership of Governor Usman Ododo for providing funding and creating an enabling environment for the university to develop.
He said the government’s support had contributed significantly to the progress being recorded across various areas of the institution.
The Chief Security Officer of the university, Dr. Olubato, also appraised the security situation on campus, assuring parents, students and other stakeholders that the institution was adequately secured.
He pointed out that the presence of a military Forward Operating Base and the MOPOL 70 Mobile Police Station in front of the institution had further strengthened the security architecture around the university.
Dr. Samuel Olubato assured parents and other stakeholders that they had nothing to fear about enrolling their wards at Kogi State University, Kabba, stressing that the institution remained committed to providing a safe and secure environment for teaching and learning.
The Prestigious Tertiary Institutions Leadership Award adds to the recognitions celebrating Prof. Eniola’s leadership and contributions to the development of Kogi State University, Kabba, and the wider tertiary education sector.
The top management team at the event included the Deans, Dr. Lamidi Yusuf and Dr. Joshua Ajenifari; Directors, including Comrade Dr. Duncan Adams and Barr. Segun Modeyin; the Chief Security Officer; Pastor S.O. Olubato, PhD, Chief Internal Auditor; Mr. Samuel Amoto; Mr. Abubakar Dare Saliu; Mr. Irikiti James, Chairman, ANUPA; and Princess Opeyemi Adebayo.
