….as VC Omojola honours varsity ambassadors in style
By Sola Balogun
Vice Chancellor, Prof Omojola, Dr Balogun (Representative of Dr Olugbenga Ajayi), Dr Omololu Abe and Prof Olu Atunramu during the ceremony
Although former governor of the old Ondo State, Bamidele Olumilua transited into glory before his dream of a university in Ikere became a reality, his name bounced back to reckoning recently during a glamorous ceremony tagged ‘Evening with the Vice Chancellor ‘ at BOUESTI in Ikere, Ekiti State.
The former governor was honoured at the epoch making ceremony where Professor Omojola, Vice Chancellor of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI) presented awards to deserving ambassadors of the fast growing university. Expectedly, the event was graced by royal fathers, illustrious sons and daughters of Ekiti, many of who made generous financial and material donations towards the growth of the institution.
Among the awardees was Hon Oyetunde Ojo, the DG of Federal Housing Authority who, in addition to unveiling the varsity’s Yoghurt product with the sum of one million naira, equally pledged a 500-seater hall, one hundred thousand naira cash donations to all departments as well as a grand plan to refurbish the students’ hostels within the university.
While making his generous donations, Hon Ojo disclosed how the late governor had wished that the old College of Education Ikere would be upgraded to the status of a university. The dream later came to reality years after Olumilua’s death, recalled Ojo who reiterated the former governor’s firm belief and commitment to education as the bedrock of development. Ojo however expressed his joy that Olumilua’s dream eventually came to fruition although posthumously.
Also making his own donation was Prince Dr Adetoyi Olabode, former Commissioner for Agriculture in Ekiti state who recalled how he initiated and funded several training and scholarship schemes in favour of youths and students of tertiary institutions across Ekiti and Nigeria in general. Other distinguished awardees who unvielled the Buoesti yoghurt (produced by students of the university) include Hon Bimbo Daramola, Professor Ibiyinka Ogunlade, Olori Ololade Adedunmi, Aare Ayodele, Pastor Akinkunmi Abimbola, UK- based Dr Olugbenga Ajayi and Sir Seboore Badejo, among others.
Dr Olusola Balogun (representative of Dr Olugbenga Ajayi) and Prince Dr Adetoyi Olabode during the ceremony
Also joining Prof Andrew Babatunde Omojola in unvieling the product were the principal officers of the university including Prof Olu Atunramu (Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics & Research), Prof Joseph Ekiran ( Deputy Vice Chancellor Development) Mrs Adenike Adeusi (Registrar) Mr Babatunde Apata (Bursar), Mrs Ronke Sowemimo Adekunmisi (University Librarian) Dr Omololu Abe ( HOD, Theatre Arts Department) among many others.