The people of Kwara South can no longer remain silent in the face of persistent neglect and calculated policy decisions that continue to undermine the development and future of our region.
Kwara South comprises 7 out of the 16 Local Government Areas in Kwara State, yet it has suffered systemic deprivation, particularly in the education sector. The recent decision by the Kwara State Government to shut down the only two public higher educational institutions in Kwara South is not only disturbing, it is deeply unjust and indefensible.
Education is the backbone of sustainable development. The closure of tertiary institutions in our region cuts off access to higher learning, weakens local economies, limits social mobility, and erodes the future of our youths. These institutions are not mere infrastructure; they are engines of human capital development and regional growth.
The attempt to replace the loss of these higher institutions with the repainting of 13 primary and secondary schools represents a clear case of tokenism and a gross misrepresentation of development priorities. While basic education is important, cosmetic upgrades cannot substitute for tertiary institutions that produce skilled manpower, innovation, and long-term economic advancement.
These actions raise a fundamental and troubling question:
Were leaders and stakeholders of Kwara South consulted before these far-reaching decisions were taken?
The consistent pattern suggests otherwise. The recent statements credited to Omo Ibile Igbomina and Chief Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin further validate our concerns. An afterthought “review” of a decision already taken does not amount to consultation. Consultation must precede policy, not follow public outrage.
Decisions of this magnitude, taken without transparent and inclusive engagement with the people and their representatives, amount to exclusion and disregard.
We state clearly and unequivocally that Kwara South deserves fairness, inclusion, and equitable development. Our region is not a political afterthought and must not be treated as one. Development must be balanced, deliberate, and responsive to real needs, not reduced to symbolic gestures designed to pacify legitimate grievances.
The patience of our people is wearing thin. Kwara South seeks justice, not pity; development, not deception and tokenism; inclusion, not neglect.
Signed:
Amofin Titilope Akogun
President, BTA Foundation
Aspirant, Federal House of Representatives