Date: 2013-05-03

Kwara State University's governing council has requested Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State to to rename the University after the late Dr. Olusola Saraki.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Muhammed Sha'aba Lafiagi, while making the presentation in Ilorin to the Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, said the request was an acknowledgment of late Dr Olusola Saraki's contributions to educational development in the country.

According to him, the University Community acknowledged Dr Saraki's "immense contribution to education through the award of scholarship to indigent students and sponsorship of several youths to Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, apart from frequent monetary intervention to parents and guardians to offset the school fees of their wards."

Senator Lafiagi, who is also a former Governor of Kwara State, said the presentation of the request for name change was made to Governor Ahmed so that the State House of Assembly could amend the relevant laws which established the Kwara State University to reflect the proposed name change.

Responding, Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed commended the University Community for the request, adding that the change of the name of the institution would serve as a platform for Nigerians to remember Late Dr Saraki's contributions and motivate future generations on the cause of humanity.

Governor Ahmed recalled that Late Dr Sola Saraki who was the Senate Leader in the Second Republic, was a major factor in fostering credible political direction in Kwara State and beyond as he left clear examples of how people should be mentored to live a better life.

Governor Ahmed also reiterated the resolve of his administration to put the State University on sound footing so that it could impact meaningfully on the entrenchment of qualitative and result oriented education in the society.

He assured the council and the entire KWASU community that the request for the change of name of Kwara State to either Sola Saraki University or Abubakar Sola Saraki University would be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for necessary legislative action.