OSCO-HEALTH, Ilesa: 2 Years of Unprecedented Developments Under Dr Lateef Olarewaju Raheem

By

Kingsley Omoyeni

For any meaningful development to take place in a society and for the future of such society to be guaranteed, the education sector must not be handled with levity, every variable including individuals to drive such vision must be put in place.

Perhaps, this is why Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke decided to appoint a visionary technocrat, Dr Lateef Olarewaju Raheem as the first substantive Provost of the Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa, to bring into reality, the vision of nurturing and producing world beaters in the Health technology industry.

Dr. Lateef Olarewaju Raheem was officially appointed as the first substantive Provost of the Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa (OSCO-HEALTH), on February 23, 2023, by Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke to the admiration of the college community, as well as its external publics. Everybody, both management and students applauded the appointment because it is a quare peg in a square hole.

Since his appointment, Dr Lateef Olarewaju Raheem has not looked back in his efforts to make OSCO-HEALTH, Ilesa one of the best Health Technology Institution around the world through his knack to develop both human capacity and infrastructures around the college. He has made it clear to whoever wants to listen that the only route for OSCO-HEALTH, Ilesa(both staff and students) is to toe the path of academic excellence and infrastructural development.

In the first two years of Dr Lateef Olarewaju Raheem’s administration, significant strides have been made in internally generated revenue, infrastructure development, and fiscal management. The college has not looked back but continue to grow under this visionary leader who has brought his wealth of experience to bare in the day-to-day running and administration of the citadel of learning.

Under his leadership in just two years, OSCO-HEALTH, Ilesa has made and achieved significant strides:

Some significant milestones that took place under him in 2023 include:
– Installation of solar light at the Provost building
– Construction of drainage systems around the college
– Accreditation to mobilize students for NYSC for the first time in the history of the college
– Renovation of lecture rooms in the following departments : Public Health, School of Environmental Studies, School of Health Information Management, School of Community Health, School of Dental Technology as well the renovation of the administrative block.

In 2024, milestones achieved include:
– The renovation of the college library
– Procurement of computer systems
– Construction of I.C.T center(ongoing)
– Commencement of CBT/Examination for 100 level students to be at par with other tertiary institutions around the globe
– Construction of Medical Imaging Department
– Establishment of Opticianry Department and Procurement of Opticianry Equipments.
– Accreditation of new course and new departments which include: ND Epidemiology and Disease Control, ND Dental Surgery Technology, ND Medical Imaging Technology, HND Dental Therapy and HND Health Information Management.

In just under two months of 2025, achievements so far include:
– Introduction and construction of Epidemiology department
– Procurement of 6,000 copies of different professional books
– Introduction of E-library
– Procurement of 45 computer systems with Internet access
– Procurement and Installation of Internet Mast/facilities withing the campus
– Grading and landscaping of a new football pitch
– Procurement of fire extinguishers placed in strategic points around the school to combat fore outbreak
– In January 2025, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) accredited six new courses and re-accredited one existing course, enhancing the institution’s academic offerings.

These developments and his move to allow greater administrative independence reflects Dr. Raheem’s commitment to advancing the college’s mission of producing competent health professionals and providing modern primary health care services.

While these achievements are commendable, the administration of Dr Lateef Olarewaju Raheem continues to face challenges as common with tertiary institutions, including students protest on certain issues. But Dr Raheem’s response to protests and his commitment to dialogue underscores the ongoing efforts to making both the internal and external publics of tbe college have a feel of both its human and capital development.

As the years role by under this visionary leader, one can be rest assured that the sky is the starting point for Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa.