Controversy Trails Viral Video of Offa Health Tech; Kwara Governor’s Aide Admits Error in Public Statement
A recent video showing the deteriorated state of infrastructure at the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa, has sparked outrage among students and citizens following a visit by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Chairman, Comrade Issa Abdulgafar Arikewuyo (popularly known as Saoty).
The video, which quickly went viral on social media, captured the dilapidated condition of several hostels and facilities within the institution. In response, the Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Media, Hon. Fafoluyi Olayinka Michael (Solace), released a statement with photographs of a new building, captioned “Kwara Health Tech Students' Hostels Nearing Completion.” The statement claimed the previous administration left behind run-down structures now being rehabilitated by the current government.
His statement "The Kwara State Government, under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has continued to prioritise the welfare of students in the state-owned institutions. The administration is committed to ensuring that students learn in a safe and healthy environment. The old, dilapidated hostels, now abandoned, were among the many run-down structures inherited by the current administration from the previous government. These facilities are now undergoing rehabilitation and reconstruction as part of broader infrastructural upgrades across the state’s educational institutions. Once completed, the new hostels will be fully equipped with essential amenities, including beds, wardrobes, student mattresses, and reading tables, among others."
However, controversy erupted when students of the Offa campus claimed the images shared by the SA Media did not represent their school. The group of aggrieved students further expressed their disappointment to Kwara Reporters, alleging that the media aide’s post was misleading and that no new hostel had been built on their campus.
Following further investigation by Kwara Reporters, it was confirmed that no new hostel exists at the Offa campus of the college. When contacted, Hon. Fafoluyi Michael admitted the error in his publication, clarifying that the images were actually from the College of Health in Oke-Ode, not Offa.
“I acknowledge the mix-up,” he said. “The pictures I posted were from the College of Health, Oke-Ode. I will correct the error on my social media platforms.”
He added that the unintended fallout from the mistake has brought renewed attention to the Offa campus. “Fortunately, the error has prompted the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to summon the school management for a meeting, where students’ welfare was thoroughly discussed. I can assure you something positive will come out of it.”
As of press time, students are reportedly mobilizing to stage a peaceful protest against what they describe as misinformation and neglect by the authorities.
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