The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Kayode Adebowale, has revealed the plan to make top members of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ambassadors of the nation’s Premier University.
Adebowale stated that Nigerian Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and Head of Service, Folashade Mejabi Yemi-Esan would be made UI@75 Ambassadors because they are UI Alumni.
Adebowale made this revelation at the institution’s College of Medicine’s induction ceremony into the Medical Profession for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MMBS) Graduating Class of 2023, held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre of the College.
The Vice Chancellor said that institution the first eminent Nigerian to be decorated as ambassador is the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum in recognition of his pivotal role in the development of the educational sector in Nigeria, followed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the 1st Bank, Dr Adesola Adeduntan and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat.
He said that UI would be 75 by November and the University management has concluded arrangements to roll out drum to celebrate this milestone.
However, the management of the institution today invested the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde as a UI@75 Ambassador Extraordinaire.
The management led by Professor Adebowale paid a courtesy visit to the governor in his office, during which the management bestowed the honour on the governor.
The Vice-Chancellor said it was in recognition of Engr Makinde’s immense love, contributions and great achievements in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Oyo State that the University has designated him an Ambassador Extraordinaire.
Adebowale, who congratulated the Governor on his re-election said that the re-election was a testament to Governor Makinde’s sterling qualities and humane policies in his first term and prayed for good health for the governor and his cabinet, appreciating the governor’s contributions to the development of the University even before he became Governor.
The Vice Chancellor said it was in recognition of Makinde’s immense love, contributions and great achievements in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Oyo State that the University has designed him an Ambassador Extraordinaire.
Adebowale said the celebration of UI@75 would not be by UI alone but by Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, and the World at large while Engr Makinde would be the Chief Host. He recalled that the expanse of land on which the University is situated was leased out by the Olubadan in Council for 999 years and said the University would forever be grateful to the people of Ibadanland.
In his speech, the governor stated that both Oyo State and the University of Ibadan belong to one big family, stressing that the mutually beneficial relationship must be maintained by supporting one another.
Makinde noted that the University of Ibadan had always had resources to help Oyo State adding that all he had done was to leverage the closeness of the University to the government and Oyo State.
He said various activities of the University had impacted the State positively and that his administration would continually ask UI for support for Oyo State.
To this end, Makinde said UI Ventures would partner with the State government to manage its Independent Power Project.
He said the junction- improvement project already done at Challenge, Idiape, and Gate would be extended to UI to improve the ambience of the University. He also assured that the Ajibode – Sasa Road would be repaired.
The Governor said he was happy to be part of the UI@75 Anniversary celebrations and promised to give as much support as possible to the fund raising aspirations of the University.
On the Vice Chancellor’s entourage were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Professor Ezekiel Olusola Ayoola; Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Oluyemisi A. Bamgbose, SAN; the Registrar, Mr Ganiyu O. Saliu; the Bursar, Mr Adewuyi Popoola; and the University Librarian, Dr. Mercy A. Iroaganachi.
Others were, the Chairman of the UI@75 Anniversary Committee, Professor Peter Olapegba; the Chairman of the UI Ceremonials Committee, Professor Adenike Akinjobi; the Director University Advancement Centre, Mr A. A. Adeosun; and the University’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Adejoke O. Akinpelu.
