The departed Engineer Michael Ayantunde Ponnle
By John Dike, Osogbo
The need to honour and immortalise individuals who have made significant contributions to national development and institutional growth has once again been underscored with the inauguration of the MicCom Memorial Endowment at Obafemi Awolowo University.
The endowment, established in honour of the Engr. Michael Ayantunde Ponnle, FNSE, OON, OFR, and Engr. (Mrs.) Comfort Olufunke Ponnle, FNSE, both departed, was unveiled during a well-attended ceremony held at the Oduduwa Hall of the University in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Speaking at the event, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke commended the Ponnle family for instituting the N150 million endowment, describing it as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s technological future.
According to the governor, the initiative goes beyond remembrance, serving as a sustainable platform for advancing engineering education, research, and innovation in the country.
“Their lives remind us that some individuals continue to build, teach and inspire even after their passing,” Adeleke said while paying tribute to the late Ponnles.
He described the couple as visionary pioneers who demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity for innovation and industrial growth, particularly through the establishment of MicCom Cables and Wires at a time when indigenous manufacturing was still developing.
Highlighting their complementary roles, Adeleke noted that while Engr. Ponnle provided leadership in enterprise development, his wife brought technical discipline, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
“Together, they built not just a successful business but a purposeful partnership that contributed meaningfully to national development,” he added.
Family representatives said the endowment was conceived to preserve the legacy of the late engineers and create lasting opportunities for future generations.
They described the departed Ponnles as pioneers in Nigeria’s engineering and industrial sectors, whose vision was rooted in a strong belief in the nation’s intellectual and entrepreneurial potential.
Beyond their industrial achievements, the couple was widely recognised for mentoring young professionals, promoting indigenous engineering capacity, and supporting initiatives that strengthened Nigeria’s technological ecosystem.
The choice of Obafemi Awolowo University as the host institution reflects its standing as one of Nigeria’s leading centres for engineering education and research.
Over the years, the university has produced graduates who have made significant contributions across sectors such as power, telecommunications, oil and gas, manufacturing, and infrastructure. It also holds a special connection to the Ponnle family, having trained two engineers, one medical doctor, and one pharmacist among their children.
The MicCom Memorial Endowment is structured to promote academic excellence through scholarships and student support programmes, while also fostering research and innovation by funding academic initiatives and scholarly activities.
It is equally designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by encouraging the practical application of engineering knowledge to real-world challenges.
In addition, the initiative places strong emphasis on leadership development, with plans for mentorship programmes, lectures, and professional engagements aimed at instilling values of integrity, resilience, and service in future engineers.
Governor Adeleke further urged beneficiaries to see the support as a call to responsibility.
“You are not just receiving support; you are inheriting a legacy. Carry it with a sense of purpose and responsibility,” he advised.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening education, promoting innovation, and encouraging collaboration between government, institutions, and the private sector.
Earlier, the vice Chancellor professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire appluded the family of late Ponnel for the gesture urged other alimumus of the university and Philatropist to support in the development of the institution.
Professor GA AAderounmu DVC Academic and professor Lasisi Ejibunu Umaru dean faculty of Technology in respectively in their remarks said the institution is looking forward to investing on the future of engineers adding that Ponnel family have left a enduring legacy worthy of recognition and emulation
Stakeholders at the event described the endowment as a sustainable initiative whose impact will be measured not only by financial contributions but by the quality of talents nurtured and innovations inspired.
The ceremony attracted dignitaries from academia, industry, and traditional Rulers Captains of industries and government officials
Ultimately, the MicCom Memorial Endowment stands as a lasting tribute to the lives and vision of the late Engr. and Engr. (Mrs.) Ponnle empowering a new generation of engineers to dream boldly, innovate responsibly, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
