Lest we forget, I want to remind us of an event. As I was browsing through my library files, I saw a two pages typed booklet that was written by Adetokunbo Fakeye (That is me). It is titled: “How Onabanjo University Dream Became Reality” By Adetokunbo Fakeye.
Governor Gbenga Daniel has continued to disappoint pessimists and surprise those who believe nothing good can come from him. The promise he made with people of Egba land to give them back the Olabisi Onabanjo University College of Engineering and Technology has been fulfilled.
Penultimate Thursday, November 27th 2003, Ibogun, the ancestral village of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo hosted many dignitaries as the Olabisi Onabanjo College of Engineering and Technology, Ibogun campus was officially commissioned with pomp and pageantry.
In his opening remark at the occasion, Professor Afolabi Soyode, Vice-Chancellor of OOU described Otunba Gbenga Daniel as an exemplary leader. “Our governor who made what we are doing today possible is a dynamic and clear focus leader”, he said.
Governor Daniel, the Vice- Chancellor submitted, officially re-pronounced the idea of today ceremony “muilti-campus system” for Olabisi Onabanjo University on June 5, 2003 during one of his visits to Ago-iwoye campus. Wherewithal to make the pronouncement and the take-off become a reality, according to the Vice-Chancellor were provided.
However, before this administration, the Egba council was said to have in 1999 set-up a committee headed by Chief Femi Adewunmi for the purpose of having the college of Engineering and Technology in Ibogun. Through this committee, the campus site was provided with a building. The effort was however, not supported by the then government until this administration came and made the dream of the founding father of the State University a reality.
President Olusegun Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo, seeing seriousness in the promise made by Otunba Gbenga Daniel to open the campus, donated a muilti-million naira engineering workshop and fully furnished four-bedroom flat to the campus , as a sign of support for the lofty idea earlier initiated for the University by its founding fathers since 1983 when it was established.
Chairman, Olabisi Onabanjo University Development Foundation, Otunba Bola Kuforiji Olubi in her remark at the occasion, described Otunba Gbenga Daniel as a dynamic and visionary leader. Who had good intention for the development of the State. According to her, in April 2003, she led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Otunba Daniel on the way out for the take-off of the campuses in Ayetoro and Ibogun. The governor, she said, promised to have them functional before year 2003 runs out and immediately he (Governor) swung into action. “The result is what is happening today” she said, adding, that the Governor’s dynamism and excellence in governance is commendable.
Otunba Kuforiji Olubi used the occasion to announce the University Development Foundation, a target which is to have the University having an International Standard. She informed the governor who is the visitor to the University that the launching of the #10 billion Foundation is intended to cut across the Nigeria border to the United Kingdom and Europe. She then called on all well-meaning Ogun indigenes to donate generously to the foundation.
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oyebade Lipede while presenting the key of 18-Seater bus donated by Egba council to the campus, commended Governor Gbenga Daniel tireless effort in education sector. “Your efforts at the repositioning of education in the state are noted and commendable.
In his speech, Governor Daniel gave kudos to the founding father of the University led by the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo for their foresight; He also acknowledged the immense contributions of President Olusegun Obasanjo, a foremost son of Ibogun towards bringing the dream and efforts of both Egbas and the State government of activating the campus to fruition. “The engineering worshop, the President donated is valued at #30 million” he said.
Governor also acknowledged the financial contributions of Ibogun friends like, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Emeka Offor and Oba Otudeko. He said, the State Government constructed access roads worth over #40 million linking the campus to various highways and also opening up the campus community. The take=off grant of #30 million had also been given to the college.
For the campus to commence academic work immediately, the University authorities have concluded arrangements for the appointment of the Provost and Principal Officers of the college. Governor Daniel advised the authority of the University to conduct themselves in the college with fear of the Lord. “As the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. Any institution that puts God first in all its undertaking will not only prosper but also sustain and even surpass the successes attained “he said, and adding, “My Vission for Olabisi Onabanjo University is that, the institution should become a foremost citadel of academic excellence whose product will be found worthy in character and learning”.
To further show his administration’s commitment to the upgrading of the status of the University and combat the menace of crime (cults and criminal gangs) and to also help students live a well rounded campus life, focusing on edifying pursuit, Otunba Daniel announced at the occasion the introduction of on-campus accommodation.
This system he said will be through a system that involved private property developers in the building of student’s hostel. ‘Our administration mission for higher education, is to provide the necessary impetus that will help our tertiary institutions to produce future leaders who will be self-reliant, functionally relevant to their immediate environment and adequately equipped to cope in the highly competitive milieu of globalization” the governor announced.
Members of the Ibogun community hosting campus were implored by the governor to help in fostering a conducive environment for the institution by extending warmth and hospitality to staff and students alike. To the college authority, the governor said, the resuscitation of the collegiate system is expected to expedite the living learning in a conducive academic atmosphere.
The academic and non-academic staffs of university also urged to exercise utmost restraint in using strike as a weapon for seeking redress of perceived lapses.
SOURCE: Elder Adetokunbo Fakeye’ Library
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