One of the prides of every society is the expansion of beneficial development which ranges from socio-economic, cultural to political development.
The people of Kogi state especially the indigenes of Kogi Central for the first time in history has just been beckoned with a priceless smile of academic development by the establishment of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), whose objectives among others is to give effect to the nation’s drive for the much needed self-reliance in science, engineering and especially technology.
Appreciatively, the people of Kogi Central and the entire citizens of Kogi state, alongside with some neighbouring states who know the immense contribution of such development to the existence of humanity have been celebrating and chanting praises to the efforts of His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State; who through his vigilant and careful leadership knows the pain of the people and the suited remedy; and at this time, has through his selfless efforts, spearheaded and brought to light the establishment of CUSTECH University to fill the vacuum of the boiling taste of knowledge especially in the area of technology, of young Nigerians that would find it useful for the attainment of self-reliance and knowledge that will further help to move the society forward.
However, the people’s happiness about the maiden State Government owned University, established on the 10th of November, 2020 at Osara in Adavi Local government area of the state has been stuck in a traffic of fear due to the fact that the establishment of the University which is expected to be a blessing by filling one of the long desired societal vacuums, is becoming a thorn in the thoughts of its publics; as the University which has already offered merit admissions to candidates from every corners of the World and has kick-started lectures is devoid of accommodations for her esteemed students to lay their heads.
Research has shown that the strength of every cathedral of learning such as CUSTECH University, lies in some internal and external factors which includes but not limited to infrastructure and other related modern technological instruments, solid policy decisions, quality curricular and implementation abilities, quality leadership of administrators, to mention but a few. This, the National Universities Commission (NUC) understood and has taken serious in the process of accrediting courses in any registered Structure of higher learning in Nigeria.
CUSTECH University which from close observation seems to be born out of miracles and selfless desire to fashion veritable human development by God’s own appointee, lacks infrastructural and modern technological instruments such as accommodations/hostels, which are in no doubt part of the academic environment that influence the quality of learning.
Truth be told, the risk of students loitering around during and after school hours and the risk of travelling to and fro daily from within and without Osara community like the sons and daughters of men who do not have a place to lay their heads is too high to be toiled with.
Apart from the issue of bad network roads connecting different communities and states to where the school is located, and the issue of insecurity which has flooded our roads and has eaten deep into our socio-economic and political ideology as a nation, the cost of daily transportation of such students from their homes just to attend lectures and other school activities in this present economic downfall, is irrationally uncalled for and as such, has called for public attention.
A wise man once said, ‘what is worth doing is worth doing well.’ The Stakeholders and Management of CUSTECH University at this point do not need to be told that the public will not be safe entrusting their wards in an academic environment that’s devoid of accommodation and some other vital needs which of course contribute to the strength of a student’s quality education.
Apparently, everyone is aware that CUSTECH University is just a child but as a child, in order not to jeopardize her loamy objectives, the Management must rationally first of all set the necessary foundation in place. This therefore means that, if CUSTECH University must win the heart of the publics and achieve her set objectives, then there’s need for the Vice Chancellor and every other Stakeholders to come together and dinner on how some of these major factors such as accommodations/hotels can be made available as soon as possible.
The Management at this point must take into cognizance these internal and external factors which can also be seen as the academic environments that influence the quality of learning. The Management must among other things, bring to reality, the infrastructural, technological and safety needs of the students in order to give the students and every of her publics an atmosphere of learning that’s free from both physical and psychological threats.
– Ozovehe Moses writes from Okene, Kogi state.
