By Suleiman Abdulmumin
After nearly five decades of waiting, history has finally been made at the Kogi State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Idah. For the first time since its establishment in 1978, the institution has successfully mobilized its graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking a milestone that is both a victory and a new beginning.
At the center of this historic achievement is Umar Anataku Shuaibu, the Acting Provost, whose visionary leadership and relentless drive for reform have reshaped the college’s destiny. Since his appointment on January 27, 2023, by the former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Shuaibu has spearheaded sweeping institutional changes — from upgrading academic standards to strengthening regulatory compliance — that have placed the college firmly on the national map.
“This is more than an institutional success,” Shuaibu said in a reflective moment. “It is a restoration of the dreams of countless graduates who longed to serve their nation under the NYSC scheme. Today, we have given them that opportunity, and the future looks even brighter.”
The breakthrough also owes much to the steadfast commitment of His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the current Executive Governor of Kogi State, whose administration has placed education, youth empowerment, and capacity building at the heart of its agenda. His support has ensured that institutions like the College of Health Sciences and Technology are not just functional but competitive at the national level.
Equally instrumental was the contribution of Dr. Adams Abdulazeez, Honourable Commissioner for Health, whose guidance helped the institution meet the rigorous standards required for NYSC mobilization. The coordinated efforts of the Academic Board, the Management Team, the NYSC Desk Officer, and dedicated staff members also played a pivotal role in turning this long-awaited dream into reality.
For the students, this moment represents more than just a uniform and a call-up letter. It’s an entry into national service, a platform for personal and professional growth, and a chance to contribute directly to Nigeria’s development. For the college, it is a seal of credibility, a sign that its academic programs, infrastructure, and governance now meet the benchmarks set by the NYSC and other national education authorities.
The achievement has sparked celebrations within the institution and the wider community, but Shuaibu sees it as just the first step in a bigger journey. “We have broken the barrier of the past 47 years,” he remarked, “but our mission is to push beyond this point — to make the college one of the leading health science institutions in the country.”
As the first batch of graduates from the college don the NYSC khaki, they do so carrying the pride of a community, the fulfillment of decades of waiting, and the promise of a new chapter in the institution’s history. For the Kogi State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Idah, the long night has ended and a new dawn has begun.