..lauds Agagu Family for 30 million naira donation, other building donors
..as Pro-Chancellor Lauds Gov Akere for Changing OAUSTECH’s Narratives
The Ondo State Governor, Arakurin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, has again reiterated that the Government of Ondo State under his watch would continue to do all within its reach to engender rapid educational growth and transformation in the state.
Governor Akeredolu stated this while commissioning another set of completed monumental projects at the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State on Tuesday, 8th March, 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, Honourable Justice Ademola Enikuomehin and Pastor Jeremiah Akinsele.
Other projects commissioned were: a Fire Service Station donated by Prof. Anthony Olusegun Adegbulugbe, a member of the University Governing Council; an Advancement Centre 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.
Governor 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 whooping sum of thirty million Naira, which assisted in the timely completion of the projects commissioned.
Arakunrin Akeredolu also commended Prof. Aina Adeogun of the University of Ibadan for facilitating the donation of 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.
“Well-meaning Individuals and organizations must come to the fore,” he maintained.
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 prudency cum administrative ingenuity, which resulted in monumental development of the Institution.
Arakunrin 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 Prof. Temi Emmanuel Ologunorisa, newly appointed as 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.
Pro-Chancellor Lauds Governor Akeredolu for Changing OAUSTECH’s Narratives
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council, OAUSTECH Prof. Akinbo Adesomoju has lauded the Governor of Ondo State, Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for turning around the fortunes of the once-moribund University to a cynosure of all eyes.
Prof. Adesomoju gave the applause while giving his speech at the commissioning of some recently completed projects in the University on Tuesday, 8th March, 2022.
“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,” Adesomoju stated.
The Pro-Chancellor recalled that the outgone Governing Council which was inaugurated on the 13th March, 2018 by Mr. Governor, Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, had 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 and 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.
“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 Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.”
The Council Chairman stated further that the release of a Special Capital Grant of 500 million naira (less 12% mandatory tax) in 2018 by Akeredolu-led Government facilitated the completion of the University Auditorium, Main Administrative Building and the University Library which were commissioned by Mr. 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.
Prof. Adesomoju informed his audience that the Governing Council and Prof. Sunday Roberts Ogunduyile-led Management worked assiduously to ensure that the University was enlisted for the funding by Tetfund. “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.
“The Governor’s continued assistance in ensuring that the University benefits from Tetfund funding is highly appreciated,” he said.
The Council Chairman equally seized the opportunity to specially appreciate the former first lady, Dr. (Mrs) Olufunke Agagu and the Agagu family for the 30 million Naira donation that facilitated the timely completion of the VC’s Lodge and four (4) Units of Principal Officers’ Quarters.
Prof. Adesomoju explained earlier that the VC’s Lodge and the Principal Officers’ Quarters required a minimum of One Hundred and Twenty Million Naira to complete and that the Governing Council was only able to raise Ninety-Million Naira from the University IGR, adding that with the Agagu Family’s donation the needed amount was realised and the projects duly completed.
Signed
Paul Adeagbo
Deputy Director,
Information, Protocols and Public Relations
Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, OAUSTECH,
Okiti-pupa, Ondo State, Nigeria
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