By Thomas Abidoye
The Kwara State Government has suspended the Rector of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed.
The suspension was announced in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, and obtained by Amiloaded correspondent on Wednesday in Ilorin, the state capital.
She stated that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq approved the constitution of a three-member panel to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the recent student protest at the institution.
Hajia Sa’adatu explained that the panel is chaired by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, with the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Nafisat Buge, and the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare, Dr. Mrs. Mercy Olufunke Shittu, as members.
She disclosed that the committee has been given two weeks to submit its report to the governor, adding that its terms of reference include examining the causes of the protest and how it was handled, recommending measures to prevent a recurrence, and making further recommendations for the growth of the institution.
The commissioner noted that the governor has directed Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed to step aside from office with immediate effect pending the outcome of the investigation, while the most senior Deputy Rector is to act as Rector in an interim
capacity.
Hajia Sa’adatu added that the committee is expected to engage all relevant stakeholders in the course of carrying out its assignment.