History was made at Olabisi Onabanjo University Campus on Thursday, 25th October, 2018 when His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, (Ogbagba II), the Awujale of Ijebuland laid the foundation of his Professorial Chair in Governance building complex.
The grand and colourful ceremony was attended by Royal Fathers and highly distinguished persons from across the country. The Awujale, in company of other Royal Highnesses from within Ijebuland and the Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees of the Professorial Chair, led by Mr. Tunji Ayanlaja (SAN) were received at the occasion by the Members of the University Governing Council, the University Management and the University Community.
While welcoming the Awujale and members of his entourage to the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde expressed his delight at Kabiyesi’s determination to establish the Professorial Chair at the University and his decision to lay the foundation of the Oba
(Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona Professorial Building Complex at this time. He expressed his belief that the building when completed will be one of the most magnificent structures on the campus which will no doubt accelerate research work in the University and further strengthen the professorial chair, as well as nudge it in the direction of being an appropriate governance Centre, characterized by a beehive of intellectual activities.
He disclosed that the University was witnessing the foundation laying-ceremony of the First Phase of Building Complex that will provide accommodation for the Occupier of the Chair, a Guest House to visiting Researchers and investigators, provide information and data services in a dedicated building to augment the Central Library services of the University and facilitate the establishment of network services similar to that of the Hoover Institution, the Carter Foundation Governance Programme, and the Woodrow Wilson Centre of Stanford, Emory and Princeton Universities in the United States.
In his concluding remarks, the Vice-Chancellor extended his warm greetings to the revered Kabiyesi, the Ogbagba II, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland for being physically present at the foundation laying ceremony. He appreciated all the Royal Highnesses present, Kabiyesi’s amiable daughter, Princess Adetoun Adetona, other members of Kabiyesi’s entourage, Members of the Board of Trustees of the Professorial Chair, Members of OOU Governing Council and other dignitaries at the occasion.
Speaking at the event, the Pro-Chancellor, Mrs. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, who was ably represented by Prince Odubunmi Solarin, a member of the University Governing Council, thanked Kabiyesi, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, for his magnanimous gestures and his irrepressible passion to support the University to achieve greater heights in the areas of Teaching and Research. She commended the efforts of members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Awujale Professorial Chair in Governance, for their remarkable performance at ensuring that the project received the attention it deserved. She concluded that the University Governing Council was proud to be associated with Kabiyesi, the Awujale of Ijebuland, for this historic and laudable project.
In his own remarks, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona Professorial Chair in Governance, Mr. Tunji Ayanlaja (SAN), expressed his pleasant surprise at the level of the University’s preparation for the foundation laying ceremony of the Building Complex and posited that the ceremony was worthy of celebration because projects of such magnitude were rare. He assured the University that in the next nine months, the Occupier of the Professorial Chair in Governance will move to the Complex, as work on the project would have been completed by then. He congratulated His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, for the laudable achievement. He informed the gathering that an initial deposit of over N600, 000,000 had been earmarked to kick start the project and enjoined all present to contribute towards the realization of the objectives of the Chair.
His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, while responding, recognized the presence of the BOT members, members of the University Governing Council, Principal Officers of the University, other dignitaries, Staff and students, and informed the august gathering that he was very delighted to see the take-off of the building project, expressing his desire to ensure that the Professorial Chair in Governance Building Complex will be one great asset that will be inherited from him. He promised that adequate provisions will be made to sustain the Chair till eternity while urging the University management to continue to play its part in ensuring the sustenance of the project. Kabiyesi Awujale concluded by expressing his gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde and his predecessor, Professor Saburi Adesanya for their vision for the University. He promised not to let the University down and thereafter took time to appreciate the Occupier of the Chair, Professor Ayo Olukotun for his efforts and steadfastness.
The entourage thereafter unveiled the plaque of the building and laid the foundation stone of the Professorial Chair Building Complex amidst pomp and pageantry. Students from the Department of Performing Arts of the University were on hand to entertain guests at the occasion.
While giving the vote of thanks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Administration), Professor (Mrs.) Ebun Oduwole, thanked the Awujale HRM, Oba(Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona,on behalf of the University Governing Council, the University Management and the entire University community for his kind gesture and for personally ensuring that the project come on stream.
Important dignitaries at the occasion includedOba Rasak Adesina Adenugba, Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, the Obiri of Aiyepe Ijebu Oba Adebisi Okubanjo, the Dagburewe of Idowa Ijebu, Oba Y. Adekoya, the daughter of the Awujale, Princess Adetoun Adetona, Otunba Wahab Osinusi (Chairman, Council of Otunbas), Otunba Biodun Onanuga, Architect A. Oduwole, Chairman, Ijebu Ode Local Government, Mr. Tunji Ayanlaja (SAN), the Alternate Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Professorial Chair, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, Otunba Lekan Bello, Professor Ayo Olukotun (Occupier of the Professorial Chair), Chief Samson Oderinde (Member of the University Governing Council), Professor A.O.J. Agboola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Mr. Femi Ogunwomoju, (Registrar), Dr. Adebambo Oduwole (University Librarian), Mr. Semiu Makinde (University Bursar), Professor A.O. Olatunji, (Member, Governing Council), Professor C.O. Adekoya, (Member Governing Council) and Mr. Oluite Adekoya (Member Governing Council). Others are Professor R.O.C. Somoye, (Dean, Faculty of Administration and Management Science), Professor A.I. Ademiluyi (Dean, Faculty of Social Science), Dr. A.T. Salami (Acting, Head, Department of Political Science), Dr. Tobi Ariyo, (Acting, Head, Department of Public Administration), Provosts, Deans, Directors, Head of Departments/Units, Chairmen and Secretaries of the University Unions and other members of the University community.
