- Commends Agagu’s family for N30 million donation, thanks building donors
- Olugbo, Oba Akinruntan pledges to connect OAUSTECH
- Pro-Chancellor, Adesomoju gives kudos to Akeredolu for changing Varsity’s narratives
By Banji Ayoola
Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, has reiterated that his Government would continue to do all within its reach to engender rapid educational growth and transformation of the state.
A statement by the University’s newly appointed Deputy Director of Information, Protocol and Public Relations, Mr. Paul Busayo Adeagbo, said that the Governor stated this while commissioning another set of completed monumental projects at the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
The Governor, also the Visitor to the University, commissioned the Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge, Principal Officers’ Quarters and some privately donated buildings including a Students’ Relaxation Centre donated by the trio of Prof. Olukoya Ogen, Hon Justice Ademola Enikuomehin and Mr. Jeremiah Akinsele.
Other projects commissioned were a Fire Service Station donated by Prof. Anthony Olusegun Adegbulugbe, a member of the University Governing Council, Advancement Center donated by Chief Pius Olu Akinyelure and a Function Hall donated by 96-year old former Senator Michael Atijosan Emmanuel Onunkun, OFR, Second Republic lawmaker.
Akeredolu, in his address, specially appreciated former Governor Olusegun Kokumo Agagu for establishing the University, saying that if the late former governor had not established the University then, there was nothing his government would build on.
He noted that the renaming of the University after late Dr. Olusegun Agagu by his government was a well-deserved honour for a man who was very passionate and committed to educational development of his state and beyond.
He lauded the Agagu family led by the former First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufunke Agagu, who was present at the occasion for donating a whopping sum of N30 million, which assisted in the timely completion of the projects commissioned.
Also, hlso commended Prof. Aina Adeogun of the University of Ibadan for facilitating the donation of the multi-million Naira 2020 US-based Seeding Lab equipment to the University.
The Governor equally thanked the donors and benefactors of the University for their good-heartedness while calling on others to emulate them by supporting the University in its quests for infrastructural development.
He stressed that funding and yearning for meaningful education can no longer be left in the hands of the government alone, saying: “Well-meaning Individuals and organizations must come to the fore.”
The Visitor to the University gave a big applause to the Governing Council members of the University led by Prof. Akinbo Adesomoju for the transparency employed in selecting the new Vice-Chancellor and for their prudence cum administrative ingenuity, which resulted in monumental development of the Institution.
Akeredolu congratulated the immediate-past Vice-Chancellor of OAUSTECH, Prof. Sunday Roberts Ogunduyile for his feats and contributions to the development of the University.
He prayed for the success of the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Temi Emmanuel Ologunorisa, who is the fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University and who by Providence would be the first occupier of the newly completed VC’s Lodge.
He lauded the VC for his brilliance, past records and passion to move the University forward.
The occasion was graced by the University Chancellor, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Fredrick Enitiolorunda Akinruntan, notable traditional rulers from Ikaleland, top government functionaries, politicians, members of University Governing Council, University Management team, staff, students, members of the host community and friends of the University.
Olugbo, Oba Akinruntan Pledges to Connect OAUSTECH
Meanwhile, the institution’s Chancellor, Oba Fredrick Enitiolorunda Akinruntan, CON, Okoro Ajiga I, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, has promised to leverage on his connection locally, regionally and globally to draw high profile personalities to assist the University.
He made the commitment recently while speaking during the commissioning of some projects at the University.
The Chancellor seized the opportunity of the event to laud Governor Akeredolu for his commitment and priority given to the University to fast track its development.
He also commended the outgoing Governing Council members led by Prof. Akinbo Adesomoju for their exemplary leadership, and for putting in their best to facilitate the rapid growth being witnessed and celebrated in the University in recent times.
The Chancellor appealed to members of Management, staff and students to co-operate with the new VC, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa so that his clear vision to make the University a world-class citadel, regional and global educational player could be realized within the set time.
Pro-Chancellor, Adesomoju gives kudos to Akeredolu for changing Varsity’s narratives
Also, the institution’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Prof. Akinbo Adesomoju has lauded Governor Akeredolu for turning around the fortunes of the once-moribund University to a cynosure of all eyes.
He gave the applause while giving his speech at the commissioning of some recently completed projects in the University on Tuesday, 8th March, 2022.
His words: “Please permit me to specially appreciate our Visitor and Governor of Ondo State, Governor Akeredolu. His passion for development and fairness has resulted in the positive change of the fortunes of this formally moribund University, despite the very harsh economic situation nationally and globally.”
The Pro-Chancellor recalled that the out-gone Governing Council which was inaugurated on the 13th March, 2018 by Akeredolu has the mandate to ensure that the University moved towards realizing its vision to be a leading internationally recognized University.
He explained that as at the time of the inauguration, there was grave infrastructural deficit in the University, which was nothing to write home, adding that the Frontal Fence of the University was an eyesore, with the main campus littered with uncompleted buildings.
However, he enthused: “I am very happy that the narrative has now changed to an emerging citadel of learning through the support of Ondo State Government under the outstanding leadership of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN”.
Adesomoju added that the release of a Special Capital Grant of N500 million (less 12% mandatory tax) in 2018 by thee Akeredolu-led Government facilitated the completion of the University Auditorium, Main Administrative Building and the University Library which were commissioned by the Governor in August 2020.
“Council and Management also at the same time utilized funds from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to complete three smaller abandoned projects including four (4) Units of 2-Bedroom exceptional Staff Quarters, the University Eatery and Frontal Perimeter Fence and Gate”, he said.
The Chairman also informed his audience that the Governing Council and the Prof. Sunday Roberts Ogunduyile-led Management worked assiduously to ensure that the University was enlisted for the funding by Tetfund.
He said: “I am happy to announce to you that the University is already enjoying support from Tetfund.”
The erudite Professor of Chemistry hinted that the Departmental Building funded by Tetfund has been completed and occupied, adding that the second one is nearing completion; adding: “The Governor’s continued assistance in ensuring that the University benefits from Tetfund funding is highly appreciated.”
Also, he specially appreciated the former First Lady, Dr. (Mrs) Olufunke Agagu and the Agagu family for the N30 million donation that facilitated the timely completion of the VC’s Lodge and four Units of Principal Officers’ Quarters.
Prof. Adesomoju had earlier explained that the VC’s Lodge and the Principal Officers’ Quarters required a minimum of N120 million to complete and that the Governing Council was only able to raise N90 million from the University IGR, and that with the Agagu Family’s donation, the needed amount was realised and the projects duly completed.
