Barring any technical challenges, the Professorial Chair in Governance Building Complex which the Awujale of Ijebuland, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona laid its foundation stone at a colourful ceremony in October last year at the Main Campus of the University should be ready for commissioning any moment from now.
The Building Complex was part of the promises made by the Awujale when in March 2016, a 500million Naira Endowment Fund was instituted by Kabiyesi for the Professorial Chair in Governance presently housed in the Department of Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University.
The first phase of the Professorial Chair Building Complex which had been completed and fully furnished except for the ongoing external beautification of the surroundings which has also reached over 95% completion stage would 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.
While the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde and the Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Admin.), Professor (Mrs.) Ebun Oduwole were on the spot assessment tour of the project on Wednesday, 7th August, 2019, the Site Engineer, Mr. Mukaila Oloso informed the two Principal Officers that the completed phase one of the building project has an office complex with four rooms, guest charlet with six ensuite bedrooms, one kitchen, one dining room and one living room and a boys’ quarter with four bedrooms and a kitchen. The Site Engineer assured the Vice-Chancellor that the building was ready for immediate occupation since all the necessary furniture had been supplied and equipment installed.
Speaking at the end of the inspection tour, the Vice-Chancellor expressed satisfaction at the progress made so far on the project. He commended the donor, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona for his passion and commitment towards the completion of the building project less than a year after laying its foundation. According to Professor Olatunde, this exemplary action by Kabiyesi was a testimony to his integrity and honour at fulfilling promises made.
The Vice-Chancellor also thanked the Board of Trustees of the Professorial Chair, led by Mr. Tunji Ayanlaja, SAN, for executing the dream of Kabiyesi and most importantly, he gave kudos to the workers for the quality of work done and meeting the target delivery time set by the donor.
An elated Professor Olatunde informed the OOU News Crew that he was happy with the level and quality of work done at the building site. According to him, what is left now, was for the Management to brief the Board of Trustees about the progress of work done and the University would await the decision of Awujale and the Board of Trustees on the date that would be chosen for the commissioning of the Building Complex.
Perhaps, it might not be out of place to say that the most thrilled person on learning about the completion of the Building Complex was the Occupier of the Professorial Chair in Governance, who would also be the direct beneficiary of the charlet, Professor Ayo Olukotun.
Hear him, “Am extremely delighted that Kabiyesi Alayeluwa, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona as it is his style has kept to his words. When he made the promise, a lot of people were cynical because they were used to government making promises and proclamations which years after, are not fulfilled. Not just that, the phenomenon of abandoned projects had become very typical of government activities in Nigeria. But Kabiyesi being a man of high integrity has kept to his promise”.
Professor Olukotun stated further that “the speed with which this particular project was executed and is being executed is simply phenomenal”. He buttressed his assertion by saying that “I have visited the place, I have seen further additions and further constructions. Last week when I was at the site, I saw that they were installing air conditioners and fixing other household equipment.
The Chair described the quality of the construction as splendid, adding that the kind of materials used suggested an emphasis of quality, aesthetics and style. He said that when the building complex is commissioned, he would “move in almost immediately.”
