Gov. Ododo Moves to Transform Kogi College of Health Sciences — Commissioner Abanika Leads Facility Inspection

The Kogi State College of Health Sciences, Idah, is poised for a major transformation as Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Abanika Taiye, to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the institution’s infrastructure for possible renovation and the construction of new facilities.

Hon. Abanika, accompanied by his team and the Chairman of the College Governing Council, Hon. Samson Bako, visited the institution on Friday, October 3, 2025, to inspect its deteriorating structures and identify areas requiring immediate government intervention.

Speaking during the inspection, Hon. Abanika commended Governor Ododo for his unwavering commitment to educational development across the state, while acknowledging the strong foundation laid by the immediate past governor, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello. He also appreciated the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alh. Ali Bello, for his dedication to ensuring the seamless implementation of the Ododo-led administration’s policies.

The Commissioner assured the College community that the government would give the institution the necessary attention upon the completion of the ongoing assessment, emphasizing that education remains one of the administration’s top priorities.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Hon. Samson Bako, described the visit as a decisive step toward addressing the long-standing infrastructural challenges confronting the College. He expressed optimism that Governor Ododo’s intervention would restore the institution’s lost glory and create a more conducive environment for teaching, learning, and research.

Receiving the delegation, the Provost of the College, Mr. Umar Anataku Shaibu, expressed profound gratitude to Governor Ododo for his love and continuous support for the institution. He noted that the timely release of funds by the present administration enabled the College to secure accreditation for six academic programs, with another six currently in progress.

Mr. Shaibu further disclosed that, for the first time since the College’s establishment in 1977, its graduates were mobilized for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) this year — a milestone he attributed to the Governor’s encouragement and commitment to educational advancement.

The Provost highlighted that the College had recently renovated its administrative block and several classrooms, as well as procured new computers. However, he appealed for urgent government intervention in the construction of a new administrative block, library, student hostels, perimeter fencing, staff quarters, lecture theater, access roads, water supply, and erosion control. He explained that these facilities are critical to the accreditation of additional courses and the forthcoming visit of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and other regulatory bodies.

In the Commissioner’s entourage were the Director of Building and Projects, the Technical Adviser to the Commissioner, the Quantity Surveyor, the Building Engineer, the Architect, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.