The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has disclosed that the vision of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, is to make the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti(BOUESTI), a citadel of learning that can earn international respect and frontline rating.
The Deputy Governor, said the upgrading of the then College of Education to BOUESTI, by the immediate past administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi, was to make it an intellectual ground that can produce sound, brilliant and competitive graduates.
Mrs Afuye assured that Governor Oyebanji would neither derail nor renege on this lofty vision that can guarantee success for the university in research prowess and favourable rating on webometric ranking.
The number two citizen and former member of the University’s Governing Council, in a statement by her Media Aide, Victor Ogunje, spoke on Thursday, while being bestowed with the ‘Award of Excellence’ by BOUESTI Senior Staff Club, at her office, in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
Mrs Afuye, who applauded the university for raising the flag high through stable and peaceful academic calendar, said the current government is ready to partner the management to catapult the university to a pedestal, where it can earn global recognition in research and academics.
According to Mrs Afuye; “We thank God that we are having a visionary leader in the person of Governor Biodun Oyebanji. He has the vision of making BOUESTI a citadel of learning that can earn and command respect internationally, by producing good and quality graduates.
“The kernel of any university is to produce quality graduates, undertake relevan’t researches and contribute to the economic growth of the host community and state .
“As encapsulated in our policy thrust, with education as one of the pillars, Governor Oyebanji is unwaveringly committed to ensuring that BOUESTI is put in a good stead to acquire these qualities. It was not established to just produce graduates, but to produce sound ones.
“This award of Excellence, which you said was in recognition of my contributions to the development of the university will motivate me to do more for the university and humanity.
“We will continually make personal sacrifices and contributions to support whatever Governor Biodun Oyebanji will do to give the university a required facelift”.
The President , BOUESTI Senior Staff Club, Com. Sunday Alonge, described the honour as well deserved, saying the Deputy Governor, is a development-driven personality, who has outstanding love for the university.
Alonge added; “They said a prophet doesn’t normally get honour in her town, but this is a confirmation that it is not always so. The Deputy Governor is from Ikere and she is today being honoured from the homefront.
“As an Ikere indigene and member of the university’s Governing Council, the Deputy Governor displayed that she was a development -driven individual, who is passionately attached to Ikere community and issues bordering on its development .
“We recognised her role on how the college was upgraded to a university status. We also recognised how she worked very hard to make the university gained stature that can rival its contemporaries all over the world.
“As critical stakeholders, we are soliciting a strong partnership with the state government for the building of our university and the Senior Staff Club to be at per with other ivory towers operating in Nigeria”.