Following the expeditious completion of the Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona Professorial Chair Building Complex by His Royal Majesty, the foundation laying and rapid construction of another iconic Building Complex expected to house the new Centre for Postgraduate Programmes in Governance Studies is about to take off any moment from now at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. “All the necessary arrangements have been concluded by all concerned parties at ensuring the delivery of the buildings in a record time.”
His Royal Majesty, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba S. K. Adetona, gave this assurance recently when the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Governing Council, Mrs. Mosun Belo-Olusoga led other members of the Council on a courtesy visit to the private residence of the paramount ruler in appreciation of his immense contributions to the growth and development of the University.
In her remarks, Mrs Mosun Belo-Olusoga who introduced members of the Council to Kabiyesi stated that the Governing Council was a haven of honourable men and women who have distinguished themselves in their various professional callings, carefully selected to direct and manage the affairs of the University, on behalf, of the government. She added that the visit of these personalities to Kabiyesi’s residence became highly imperative in view of the immeasurable but rare gestures of the monarch whom she described as a caring father to the institution.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde expressed his profound appreciation to the Awujale and members of the Board of Trustees of Oba S. K Adetona Professsorial Chair in Governance for their magnanimity and show of love to the University. He extolled the unparalleled virtues of His Royal Majesty. According to him, “the University community through the Governing Council deemed it appropriate to come and thank Kabiyesi and the Board of Trustees of the Professorial Chair for the very big support we have enjoyed as a University from the largesse that Kabiyesi had delivered.” Speaking further, Prof. Olatunde stated that “it all started about four years ago when His Royal Majesty magnanimously donated to the University a Professorial Chair worth more than half a billion naira which was the first of its kind in the country.”
While giving further details on the gestures of the royal father to the institution, the University helmsman also acknowledged with thanks the recent sponsorship of the construction of the dual carriage way connecting the professorial chair buildings and the Main Campus thereby creating a road network between the University and its adjoining subsidiaries and properties like the Staff School, International School and Staff Quarters. He further gave thanks to God Almighty for allowing the current administration at both Council and Management levels witnessed the positive results of the seeds of the Professorial Chair sown some few years ago by His Royal Majesty.
Speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Professorial Chair, its Chairman, Mr Tunji Ayanlaja, SAN, equally expressed his gratitude to the Council members and the Management of the University for their sincerity of purpose and maximum co-operation enjoyed in the course of their relationship. While hoping for a continuous smooth interractions as currently being experienced. The legal luminary promised the unalloyed support of the Board. He thereafter, commended the Chair, whom he described as an academic of rare competence and uncommon capacity.
He added that the Professor did not only perform brilliantly beyond their expectations but set a standard that would continue to challenge future occupiers of the position. In his words, “Professor Ayo Olukotun clearly showed that he actually worth his status. Without mincing words, the professor beat our imaginations in terms of performances on the job in the last four years. In actual fact, if it is possible to reappoint him for the third time, we would not hesitate to do so.”
While also expressing his heartfelt appreciation for the honour done him being the pioneer beneficiary of the Professorial Chair and for facilitating his job through provision of facilities and paraphernalia of office, Professor Ayo Olukotun profusely thanked Kabiyesi for his philanthropic mind-set, especially, to the education sector. He further expressed his gratitude to the Board of Trustees not only for the confidence reposed in him, but also for their sense of direction and good judgement in the course of their roles as the Trustees of the Professorial Chair. He described them as people of integrity and men of impeccable character. Professor Olukotun could not finish his speech without acknowledging the cooperation of the Management and other members of staff in the University for their unflinching support since assuming office.
Responding, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who equally thanked the delegation of the University, recalled how the whole episode started during the era of the former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Saburi Adesanya who had requested for an endowment that gave birth to the Awujale Professorial Chair today. Speaking on the new gestures to the University, the monarch reiterated his decision to commence the construction, complete and deliver it on record time. The building complex would house the postgraduate degree awarding Centre for Governance Studies in the University. Kabiyesi disclosed further that “the issues of drawings relating to the building had been completed, and financial allocations for its commencement had been settled with concerned parties. Let me also assure you today that the only outstanding project to be completed in my lifetime is the Centre for Governance Studies in OOU. By the special grace of Allah, He will grant me His mercy to be able to deliver this to your institution before I go back to Him.”
It would be recalled that the University Management some months ago paid a courtesy visit to the Awujale in appreciation of the completion of the Professorial Chair Building Complex, and the award of contract for the construction of the dual carriage way linking the complex to the Main Campus of the University. His Royal Majesty there and then, in his usual style gladly announced the donation of another Building Complex that would house the “Centre For Governance Studies” for the purpose of undertaking research in governance and awarding Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and PhD Degrees in Governance Studies.
