The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, has conferred UI@75 Ambassadorial Status on the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.
Adebowale, who conferred the honour on the governor in Maiduguri stated that the conferral is a clear statement that Zulum is a graduate of whom the University of Ibadan is well pleased.
According to the Vice Chancellor, “True greatness begets greatness. The University of Ibadan is truly great and remains great. Your excellency, sir, you are one of our great alumni. Your predecessor in office, given the greatness imbibed from the University, became the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are proud of you both sir, as our great Alumni.”
He drew attention to the fact that the University of Ibadan turns 75 this year, and there is every reason to roll out the drums and celebrate the excellence that the University symbolizes.
He stated that Zulum is a part of that tradition of excellence adding that the UI@75 Anniversary Committee recommended and the Management approved that His Excellency be designated as a UI@75 Ambassador, the first person to be so decorated.
He requested that Zulum should deliver one of the four proposed UI@75 Anniversary Lectures.
The Chairman of the UI@75 Planning Committee, Professor Peter Olapegba identified UI@75 Priority Projects.
He said the projects were identified based on the Vision document of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan while contesting to be Vice Chancellor.
He said the Vice-Chancellor in the said document, promised to raise a sum of $200, 000, 000 (Two Hundred Million Dollars) for various projects in the University adding that the UI@75 Anniversary has been designated as a vehicle to drive the process.
According to Olapegba, the five priority projects are:
• Endowment Fund N100, 000, 000, 000 (One Hundred Billion Naira)
• Infrastructure Development (Smart classrooms, IT Infrastructures and Laboratories) N10, 000, 000, 000 (Ten Billion Naira).
• Alternative Energy: N10, 000, 000, 000 (Ten Billion Naira)
• Indigent Scholarship Fund N200, 000, 000 (Two Hundred Million Naira)
• Staff Development & Mobility Fund: N10, 000, 000, 000 (Ten Billion Naira)
Olapegba said it is the University’s expectation that our Ambassadors and Ambassador Extraordinaire will pick any of the projects and mobilise friends and associates to raise fund for the projects picked.
Zulum expressed appreciation to the University for finding him worthy. He promised to provide the political will to ensure the achievement of the Committee’s objectives.
He noted that the Committee’s objectives are germane to the growth of the Education sector assuring that he would give support.
He accepted to deliver one of the four Anniversary Lectures.
Zulum said he would continue to partner and collaborate with all efforts aimed at repositioning the fragile education sector of the country.
He urged the University of Ibadan to collaborate with the University of Maiduguri and the Borno State University in the area of Staff Development
