The Chairman of both Coronation Group Ltd and Access Holdings Plc, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, recently spoke on his fond memories of the University of Ibadan, though he did not attend the institution, recalling with nostalgia that he drew his first breath in the world at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, where he was born.
Mr Aig-Imoukhuede spoke in Lagos State during a courtesy call on him by a team from led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale.
Mr Aig-Imoukhuede also recalled how he accompanied his mother on a visit to UI when he was about nine years old, and the holidays he spent with his father’s best friend, late Professor Babatunde Olusiji Osunkoya, in the staff quarters.
He also recalled that UI in those days was a beautiful campus with staff quarters situated within expansive compounds.
He said even though he had travelled far and wide and visited many universities, his memories of UI had always defined for him what a university is all about.
He said he would, therefore, be highly honoured to receive an honorary degree from the premier university at its 77th Foundation Day ceremony.
With this honour done him, Mr Aig-Imoukhuede promised to collaborate with UI on projects that are sustainable and impactful.
He disclosed that he was mostly interested in public sector governance and leadership development.
Mr Aig-Imoukhuede said the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, through its African Initiative for Governance (AIG), seeks to transform public sector effectiveness, ensure sound policies, and good governance in Africa.
According to him, the AIG plans to offer three- month training to 3,000 high performing African civil servants over a period of five years at the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University. The programme is in its 5th cohort.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, had jocularly observed that the University of Ibadan was in the DNA of Mr Aig-Imoukhuede.
The Vice-Chancellor recalled that his father, Mr Frank Aig-Imoukhuede, had graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1961 with a B. A. English, and was a member of the University’s Cricket team, while his mother, late Pastor Emily Aig-Imoukhuede, graduated in History in 1964.
He described both parents as vibrant alumni of the University who impacted other students meaningfully.
Professor Adebowale said UI is always careful in its choice of honourees, adding that Mr Aig-Imoukhuede was considered worthy to be given the honorary degree of Doctor of Science because of his antecedents in banking, capital markets, insurance, technology, energy and real estate.
He delved into the history of the University of Ibadan which was founded in 1948 and the ambition of the University to transit into a Post Graduate University for cutting-edge research and to produce a critical mass of researchers for national development.
The Vice Chancellor was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Professor Peter O. Olapegba; the Registrar, Mr Ganiyu O. Saliu; and the Deputy Registrar in the Directorate of Public Communication, Mrs Adejoke O. Akinpelu.
