BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE SCHOOL The idea to establish School of Health Technology Akure started in 1976 following a decree establishing at least one school f health technology in each State of the Federation in keeping with the recommendation of the committee of experts for the development of Basic Health Service Scheme (BHSS) in Nigeria. It was not until February 7, 1977 that the School academic programme took off formally in a rented apartment along Arakale road (near Akure Youth Centre). Then the male student’s hostel was along Owo road and female student’s hostel was directly opposite State Specialist hospital, Akure. Both hostels were in rented buildings. The Pioneer departments at take off include: 1. Public Health Inspectors 2. Public Health Department charged with training of Community Health Assistants and Aids as well as Public Health Nurses. 3. Dental Surgery Assistants 4. Medical Laboratory Assistants 5. X-Ray Assistants 6. Health Information Management Assistants In 1980, the School moved to its permanent site along Oda road. Structures at the Permanent site then included: 1. A large Administrative block comprising the Principal’s office, two staff common room, Admin office, Vice Principal’s office and HOD’s office. 2. Classroom blocks to accommodate existing departments. In 1988, a laboratory block was constructed which provides for a demonstration room, Drug compounding room as well as offices/stores – for Medical laboratory students and Pharmacy Technician in training. Also constructed were two hostel blocks for male and female hostel accommodation. In September 1998, the State Government during the tenure of Late Navy Cdr. Anthony Onyearugbulem provided three additional building to beef up existing facilities for hostel accommodation given the increasing student population. In year 2001, Government provided the school with a thirty- two-seater bus. Prior to this time a Toyota Combi bus was the only utility vehicle for the school. Efforts of successive government led to the perimeter fencing of the school compound, construction of befitting gate, a block of six classrooms, procurement of computers and initiation of running grants. The present Administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has set machinery in motion with a view to developing manpower and physical infrastructure at the School of health Technology, Akure. In this regard the school now enjoys a reasonable level of autonomy with separate state budgetary provision for both capital and recurrent expenditures. At inception there was acute shortage of staff. The pioneering staff include the the Principal, five academic and four non-academic staff. Today the staff strength of the school is well over forty for both academic and non- academic staff. Listed hereunder are individual that served as head of this great institution since inception. S/NO NAMES PERIOD 1 Dr. A. A. Adetunji 1977 – 1985 2. Dr. A.O. Adetula 1986 – July, 1987 3. Dr. O. Ogunyankin August, 1987 – 1988 4. Mrs. M. M. Olowo September, 1987 – 1988 5. Chief C. A. Agbede 1989 – 1992 6. Mr. J. O. Fakorede 1993 – October, 1996 7. Mr. Wole Akitikori November, 1996 – October, 2002 8. Dr. T. Oni November, 2002 – June, 2003 9. Dr. N. O. Akinola July, 2003 – Present day The following have served as School Vice Principal since inception – Mr. E.O. Folarin, Chief C.A. Agbede, Mr. J.G. Akinjo, Mrs. J. Akerele, Mr. Orisasona, Mr. Oye Ariyo, Rev. Canon J.B. Falodun and Mr. Sunday Adetoye. Over time all the programmes run at this school were upgraded from the Assistant Cadre to the Technician Cadre. The school no longer trains the Assistant Cadre. The Regulatory bodies of courses run at this school have sent their accreditation teams to this school with a view to accrediting or courses. The school so far has provisional accreditation to train Medical Lab Technicians, Environmental Health Officers as well as Public Health Nurses.