13TH Convocation: Kwara Varsity Graduates 125 Women In Cloths, Caps Making

The Kwara State University said it has graduated 125 women trained in clothes and caps making through its Centres for Women Development. The Vice Chancellor Professor Shaykh Luqman Jimoh announced this on Tuesday during the 13th convocation press conference held at the Muhammadu Buhari Main Library in Malete. He said the beneficiaries were trained across […]

The Kwara State University said it has graduated 125 women trained in clothes and caps making through its Centres for Women Development.

The Vice Chancellor Professor Shaykh Luqman Jimoh announced this on Tuesday during the 13th convocation press conference held at the Muhammadu Buhari Main Library in Malete.

He said the beneficiaries were trained across the university’s four centres located in Ilorin Osi, Ilesha, Baruba and Malete.

According to him the programme equips women with skills in producing ready to wear female clothing and men’s caps designed to support income generation and entrepreneurship.

Professor Jimoh stated that each beneficiary received an industrial sewing machine to aid their start-up phase.

He added that the university also provided android phones to strengthen their e-marketing capability and expose them to wider digital business opportunities.

The Vice Chancellor noted that the training package includes mentorship to guide the women as they establish their own enterprises in their communities.

He said some of the graduates have already begun training others which aligns with the university’s long term plan to expand women empowerment and community impact.

“KWASU currently runs four Centres for Women Development located in Ilorin, Osi, Ilesha Baruba and Malete. 125O women have so far graduated with skills in making ready to wear female clothes and men’s caps.

“They have also been empowered with industrial sewing machines, android phones for e marketing, and mentorship to guide the establishment of their businesses”, he added.

The VC announced that 82 students graduated with first class honours from a total of 8,119 students.

According to him, 7,618 completed first degree programmes, while 501 earned postgraduate degrees. 1,355 graduands were third class.

He also said 56 law graduates of the university were called to the Bar this year.

On community development, he said more than 100 projects were executed in the last year through staff and student interventions.

He also noted that the KWASU Microfinance Bank supported 7 farmer associations with agricultural loans for the second consecutive year.

The Vice Chancellor said the university continues to sustain rebates for children of staff and provides disability support, transport subsidy, hazard allowance and annual promotions.

He confirmed that KWASU’s fourth year medical students have resumed at the newly approved teaching hospital following the conversion of the Ilorin General Hospital.

On infrastructure, Professor Jimoh revealed that TETFund has approved a N1 billion special intervention for completing the library annex. He said all faculties now operate fully equipped smart classrooms, while the Experience Centre funded by the Office of the First Lady and TETFund is nearing completion.

He stated that the Central Bank–funded central laboratory is at an advanced stage, while the Faculty of Law building continues to progress. He added that a public private partnership with Rangeman Construction has delivered a new 600 bed hostel now in use.

Professor Jimoh highlighted research achievements, including major grants secured by staff in engineering and agriculture.

He said two researchers were selected for the Future Africa Research Leadership Fellowship in South Africa, while 44 students received N100,000 each at the Undergraduate Research Day.

He added that KWASU is a pilot institution under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and has established two conversion centres in Malete and Ilorin.

He acknowledged improved security in Malete after earlier robbery incidents, attributing the progress to coordinated efforts involving security agencies and the Moro Local Government Council.

Professor Jimoh appealed for more security posts, expanded internal roads and additional hostels to meet the institution’s growing needs. He also urged the state government to facilitate a flyover at the Shao to Malete crossing to prevent accidents caused by vehicles driving against traffic.