The Kwara State Government has inaugurated a Joint Management Committee to oversee the coexistence of the Kwara State University of Education (KWASUED), Ilorin, and the Kwara State College of Education (CoE), Ilorin.

The Ministry of Tertiary Education, Ilorin, inaugurated the committee to ensure harmonious relations and effective management and utilisation of resources and facilities shared by the two institutions. The committee comprises three representatives each from KWASUED and the College of Education, as well as one representative of the Ministry of Tertiary Education.

Representing KWASUED are Prof. Ganiyu Bello, Dr Bello Okanla Fatai and Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Yetunde Olanrewaju, while the College of Education is represented by Mr Akanbi O. Ayodele, Mr Lawal L.O. and Mr Jiyah S.J. The ministry is represented by Mallam Aliyu Abdulsalam.

Inaugurating the committee, the Supervising Commissioner for the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Commissioner for Education and Human Capital, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, charged members to ensure that the coexistence arrangement produces tangible results and does not become a mere administrative exercise.

He urged the committee to maintain a harmonious relationship between the two institutions, particularly in the management and utilisation of resources and facilities within the premises of the College of Education.

Dr Olohungbebe said the government expected impact from the committee rather than just its inauguration, noting that every institution had to start from somewhere before eventually moving to its permanent location.

He reminded members that they understood their respective institutions better than anyone else and were therefore well positioned to develop workable solutions to challenges that might arise in the course of the coexistence arrangement.

According to him, the establishment of KWASUED was not intended to take jobs away from workers at the College of Education but to create additional employment opportunities in the state.

He added that the government was working towards developing KWASUED's permanent site, after which the university would relocate to the permanent location.

Dr Olohungbebe also reassured both institutions that KWASUED had come to stay, while the College of Education would equally continue to operate, stressing that the government was committed to ensuring the smooth running of both institutions.

He urged members of the committee to work together and produce practical and implementable recommendations that would guide the ministry in managing the relationship between the two institutions.

Earlier, in his welcome speech, the Director of Continuing Education, Dr Sunday Akanbi, said the inauguration represented an important step towards establishing a structured relationship between the two institutions and ensuring that the presence of KWASUED and the College of Education within the same environment did not become a source of unnecessary friction.

He stressed the importance of cooperation, mutual understanding and effective communication between the managements of both institutions, particularly in the areas of facility use and day-to-day operations.

The director expressed confidence that the committee, comprising representatives of the two institutions and the ministry, would provide a platform for addressing issues as they arise and developing solutions that would be beneficial to both institutions.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated committee, Prof. Ganiyu Bello expressed the members' readiness to take up the responsibility and ensure that the coexistence arrangement succeeds.

Prof. Bello said the committee had accepted the assignment and would do everything possible to achieve its objectives.

He noted that teacher education had recorded progressive growth in Kwara State, adding that the state had established a strong reputation for the training of teachers.

He assured that the committee would work to ensure continued progress in education and teacher training in the state.

The inauguration followed the recommendation of the Committee on the Blueprint for the Coexistence of the Kwara State University of Education and the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.

The earlier committee was constituted by the Kwara State Government to develop a framework for the peaceful and effective coexistence of the two institutions, particularly during the transitional period before the development of KWASUED's permanent site.

Among its recommendations was the establishment of a Joint Management Committee to coordinate the coexistence of the institutions, facilitate the sharing and utilisation of facilities, address transitional challenges and promote harmonious relations.

The inauguration of the new committee therefore marks the commencement of a formal mechanism for managing the relationship between KWASUED and the College of Education as both institutions continue to pursue their respective mandates.

The committee is expected to submit workable recommendations to the Ministry of Tertiary Education to guide the implementation of the coexistence arrangement and ensure that both institutions continue to contribute to the development of teacher education in Kwara State.