Oyo State governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, has said that the mutually beneficial relationship between pacesetter state and the University of Ibadan must be maintained through continual support of each other, as they both belong to one big family.
The governor stated this after his investiture and decoration as a UI@75 Ambassador Extraordinaire by the management of the University in his office at Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Noting that UI had always had resources to help the state, Makinde added that all he had done was to leverage the closeness of the institution to the state government.
He spoke on various activities of the university which had impacted the state positively, saying that his administration would continually ask for UI’s support.
To this end, Engr 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.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, had earlier congratulated the Governor on his re-election.
He said that the re-election was a testament to Governor Makinde’s sterling qualities and humane policies in his first term.
He then prayed for good health for the governor and his cabinet members.
Commending Governor Makinde for having many UI people in his government, Professor Adebowale said that the institution had never had it so good, assuring that it would readily release more people to enable it add value to the state governance.
He appreciated Engr Makinde’s contributions to the development of the University even before he became 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.
Professor 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.
The Governor was supported by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike K. Adeyemo; the Chief of Staff, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi; the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni; Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abdulwaheed Salihu; Honourable Commissioner for Works, Professor Kehinde Daud Sangodoyin; and the Pro-Chancellor of LAUTECH, Professor Ayodeji Omole.
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 UI@75 Anniversary Committee, Professor Peter Olapegba; the Chairman of UI Ceremonials Committee, Professor Adenike Akinjobi; Director University Advancement Centre, Mr A. A. Adeosun; and the University’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Adejoke O. Akinpelu.
