Ondo State Governor and Visitor to Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria, AAUA, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has expressed confidence in its ability to be one of the leading institutions in Africa, even as he charged the Management of the state-owned University not to rest on their oars in placing the Institution among the top 10 in the country.
The Visitor stated this on Friday while speaking at the grand finale of the 8th Convocation Ceremony of the University.
Represented by his Deputy, Barr. Agboola Ajayi, the Governor noted with joy that Ajasin Varsity has moved from her number 31 ranking last yeat to an enviable position of the 18th best Institution in the last Webometric ranking of Universities in Nigeria.
This, he said, points to the consistent backing of the state government, prudent management of available resources by the University Management and hard work by the workforce.
In his words, “The government of Ondo State is proud of Adekunle Ajasin University, an institution that has become a force to be reckoned with in its 19 years of existence where other universities are struggling to make name.”
“It is gratifying that graduates of this University are winning laurels and making waves globally. I would like to charge them to push further so that AAUA would be established as a global champion.
“The time is now for everybody, including corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to join hands with government in funding education as government alone cannot fund education.
“While as a government and proprietor to this university, we would contribute and continue to do our best to sustain the achievements of this great university, we would like to appeal to stakeholders to seek to time-tested and creative ways that have been used by world-class universities and deploy similar strategies to build the University.”
The Governor, who appreciated the supports of the University’s alumni, added that universities all over the world draw huge support from their alumni.
The Governor congratulated the 5, 252 graduands, especially the 31 who graduated with First Class, and their parents and wished them the best in their future endeavours.
Also speaking, the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, listed the various steps taken by Council to improve the fortunes of the Institution. He thanked parents and other stakeholders for their understanding and support during the recent increment in the school fees.
In his own speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, pledged that Management would continue to make inputs that would make the University stand shoulder high among her peers.
He pledged that staff would be given every assistance and support to improve on their training and welfare.
Highlights of the ceremony included the unveiling of the 31 First Class graduands, including the Overall Best Graduating Student, Komolafe Ebenezer Olorunwa, who graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.74 from the Department of Science Education.
Also, a lawyer, business mogul and philanthropist, Mrs Siju Iluyomade, was honoured with the Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) of the University.
Maintain AAUA’s excellence tradition, VC tasks graduates
Meanwhile, Ajibefun has charged graduates of the University to maintain the University’s tradition of excellence and the culture of good conduct instilled in them during the period of their training in the university.
He gave the charge while addressing the congregation at the University Central Mosque during the special Jumat service which kick-started the 8th convocation ceremony.
He was represented by the Head of Department of Chemical Sciences, Professor Nurudeen Oladoja.
Ajibefun said, “You have completed a cycle, you are moving to another stage. Keep the good virtues that have been instilled into you here at Adekunle Ajasin University and continue to be good ambassadors of the school.”
The VC used the occasion to appreciate members of the Muslim Community for imparting good morals to muslim students.
The Guest Lecturer, Islahudeen Salahudeen, spoke on the topic “Knowledge for Self-Reliance and Sustainable Development.” He stressed the importance of knowledge, saying, “This is not the end of knowledge, continue to seek knowledge and become self- reliant. Make yourself an innovator, make yourself a creator.”
The Chief Imam of the University’s Central mosque, Dr. Muslim Aminu, also reiterated the need for the graduands to be self-reliant.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor had, at the Convocation’s Inter-Denominational service on Sunday, urged staff and students to continue to cooperate with the management for effective administration and qualitative education.
He said the support and cooperation of both the staff and the students made it possible for the University to produce and present the new set of graduands for the 8th Convocation. He likened the graduation of students to the bounty harvest of a farmer, saying “We are very happy to present this set of graduands for Degree conferment. Just like a farmer is delighted harvesting his crops, so are we, because we have labored upon these set of people and we are glad to present them for these occasion”.
The Pentecostal Fellowship Association’s Vice President, Bishop O. J. Ayegbusi, in his sermon, charged all to ensure order, stating that orderliness invokes God’s blessings and promised fulfilment.
