In this interview with newsmen in Ilorin, the acting provost of the Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS), Dr Sa’ad Hadi amongst other things speaks about how the Kwara State government owned institution is advancing education, empowering the society, and the global acceptability of its certificates. Excerpt:
Question: Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS) has been a beacon of education in Kwara State. Can you share with us the core vision and mission of the College?
Answer : Thank you for having me. Kwara-CAILS stands proudly as a state-owned institution committed to providing high-quality diploma programmes that cater to the educational needs of our society while contributing to economic development. Since its inception, the College has blended traditional Islamic teachings with modern academic disciplines. Our programmes prepare students for careers in Education, Arabic, Islamic studies, English Language, History, Yoruba Language, Mass Communication, Library Science, Computer Science, Accounting, and religious leadership.
Question : How worthy are the certificates issued by your College?
Answer : Let me start by saying that the integrity of our academic processes leading to the award of certificates is paramount. We employ rigorous auditing procedures to ensure every certificate issued by the College is legitimate and earned in collaboration with our University of affiliation. Certificates are issued by our affiliated university after having ascertained that the due process have been followed. Afterwards, holders of the certificates can use it for DE( direct entry) admission in any Nigeria University and international. The certificates can also be used for employment purposes. This underscore the worthiness of our certificates. Because Kwara-CAILS remains steadfast in upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, holders of our certificates are imbued with a strong foundation in advancement of their studies.
Question : How has Kwara-CAILS contributed to the society since its establishment?
Answer : Our alumni speak volumes about our impact. Among them are Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Judges, Magistrates, legal practitioners, journalists,and other professionals excelling in both the public and private sectors. Additionally, our graduates have distinguished themselves as university lecturers, radio personalities, journalists, library science experts, and administrators, including a respected Resident Electoral Commissioner. The College has also been catering for the products of traditional Arabic and Islamic studies institutions to have a blend of western education which is making them more relevant in the changing educational landscape of the society. These accomplishments highlight the transformative role Kwara-CAILS plays in developing human capital.
Question: There has been some criticisms on social media in the recent past, particularly concerning the Direct Entry (DE) registration issues as regards CAILS certificates. Can you clarify this situation?
Answer : Yes, the inability of some students to register for JAMB Direct Entry last year was linked to new policies introduced by JAMB in its efforts to make the kinds of certificates being presented to it for DE admission uniform and sanitised. This affected both our Kwara-CAILS-KWASU foundation programme and CAILS regular programmes. It as well affected many institutions nationwide. We have been able to address this issue to ensure our students are not disadvantaged. Both the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar of Kwara State University, Malete are now signing the certificates of our regular diploma students as currently demanded by JAMB and now acceptable. Our National Diplomas are under the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and have no problem of acceptability to JAMB for direct entry admissions into Universities. The derogatory remarks about the College certificates on social media are unfounded rumours peddled by those who could not verify the facts of the matter. I want to assure the public of the worthiness of our certificates for Direct Entry and our constant commitment to excellence.
Question: What measures have been taken to improve the College’s infrastructure and programmes ?
Answer: Infrastructure development has been a key focus. Renovations and upgrades are ongoing, including lecture halls, staff offices, students accommodations, and library resources. Visitors to our campus will notice significant improvements, thanks to the support of the Kwara State Government and judicious resource utilization. We are also exploring alumni engagement, partnerships with private organizations and NGOs to accelerate these developments. In terms of programmes, our strategic plan for the next few years focuses on expanding academic offerings, improving quality, and enhancing students support services. We aim to position Kwara-CAILS to meet with the needs of education dynamism.
Question: How is the College ensuring accountability and transparency in its operations?
Answer : Accountability is crucial to our operations. We have implemented new oversight mechanisms, regular audits, and established an Ethics Committee. The funds allocated to the College are used judiciously to support academic programmes and maintain facilities. Internal and external audits ensure transparency and effectiveness in resource utilization.
Question : What sets Kwara-CAILS apart from other institutions?
Answer : Our legacy is rooted in academic rigor and quality teaching. Of our 52 dedicated academic staff members, 13 hold PhDs and 33 have Master’s degrees. This reflects our commitment to providing a first-rate educational experience. Additionally, our programmes uniquely combine traditional Islamic teachings with modern academic disciplines, preparing students for diverse career paths. CAILS is a community initiated institution to cater for the peculiar needs of the community and to which the institution is continuously doing to the satisfaction of its stakeholders.
Question : What feedback have you received about your graduates?
Answer: Feedback about our graduates has been overwhelmingly positive. They are recognized for their competence, professionalism, and ethical conduct in various fields. This affirms our commitment to producing graduates who meet the demands of the modern workforce while upholding the values of integrity and excellence.
Question: Looking ahead, what is your vision for Kwara-CAILS?
Answer : Our vision is to continue reforming the College to align with the dynamism of educational development. We are committed to improving academic quality, expanding programmes, striving for self subsisting and strengthening community engagement. By doing so, we aim to solidify Kwara-CAILS’s reputation as a center of excellence, contributing significantly to the educational and economic development of Kwara State and beyond.
Question: Kwara-CAILS has achieved remarkable milestones over the years, how has the Kwara State Government contributed to this progress?
Answer: The contributions of the Kwara State Government, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Mal. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,CON, the Sardauna of Ilorin, cannot be overstated. His administration has provided an enabling environment for the College to grow academically and administratively. One of the most impactful measures has been continuous provision of accreditation grants. These funds have ensured the legitimacy of our programmes and also ensured that our programmes meet the highest academic standards, enabling us to expand our offerings and maintain excellence in education. Accreditation is a rigorous process, and the Governor’s consistence timely support has been instrumental in our success. The College is presently poised for resource assessment of some programmes and re-accreditation of some, and of which fund and supports for its success have been made by the government. Additionally, His Excellency has shown exceptional dedication to the welfare of our staff through the regular payment of salaries. This consistency has fostered motivation, stability, and a positive work environment, allowing our educators to focus entirely on their responsibilities. Such policies underline the Governor’s recognition of the critical role education plays in societal development.
Question: What impact has this support had on the College and the broader community?
Answer: The support from the Kwara State Government has been transformative. It has enabled us to enhance our infrastructure, improve the quality of our programmes, and build a more robust academic institution. This has directly translated into producing graduates who excel in their fields, contributing to the economic and social transformation of Kwara State and beyond.
Moreover, the Governor’s education-friendly policies have positioned Kwara State as a leader in educational development in Nigeria. His Excellency has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to human capital development, which continues to inspire progress and innovation within Kwara-CAILS and other institutions in the state.
Question: Do you have a message for His Excellency and the people of Kwara State?
Answer: On behalf of the entire Kwara-CAILS community, I extend our deepest gratitude to His Excellency, Mal. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his remarkable leadership and steadfast support. We are committed to justifying his investments by continuing to provide quality education and producing graduates who will positively impact society. To the people of Kwara State, I assure you that Kwara-CAILS remains dedicated to its mission of academic excellence and community service. Together, with the support of the Government and the goodwill of our people, we will continue to advance education and contribute meaningfully to the progress of our state.
Question : Thank you, Dr. Hadi, for sharing these insights. It is heartening to see such strong collaboration between the College and the Government. We wish Kwara-CAILS continued success.
Answer : Thank you for the opportunity to share our story. It has been a pleasure.
Question: Is there any final message you would like to convey?
Answer: Thank you for the opportunity. I want to assure everyone that Kwara-CAILS remains dedicated to providing high-quality education, upholding integrity, and fostering excellence. We value the trust placed in us by our students, alumni, and stakeholders and will continue to work tirelessly to build on our achievements.
