…… as Times Higher Education gives global, Continent ranks on ABUAD
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University,Ado-Ekiti(ABUAD),Professor Olasupo Ijabadeniyi has disclosed that the founder of the institution,Aare Afe Babalola SAN, in aggressive pursuit of educational development for humanity emptied his Bank Deposits,sold his shares in choice companies and the choice properties in England, Lagos,Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan to establish ABUAD with the fuller hope of making the University the Birthplace of Educational Renaissance.
The acting Vice Chancellor made the disclosure just as the ABUAD was ranked by the Times Higher Education ranking of universities, as No 84th in the world and 3rd in Africa respectively.
Professor Ijabadeniyi said after theel dissolution of all University Councils by the then President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007,Aare Afe Babalola who was serving as the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos (Pro Bono),decided to establish a university which will be an example of how a university,properly so-called should be run.
The Acting VC spoke on Friday while addressing journalists on the School Campus declared that the dream of Aare Afe Babalola in this regard has been achieved as ABUAD has navigated its way to the very top in the comity of universities nationally and internationally within the first 15 years of it’s existence.
“Today,with the cooperation of and quality advice from Regulatory Bodies such as the NUC,Council for Legal Education,Ministry of Education,Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE),the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), ICAN, CPN, PCN, and NMCN among others.
“The cooperation of parents and the commitment of our staff, the University has recorded spectacular achievements in Law, Medicine, Engineering, Nursing, Pharmacy, Sciences and Accounting among several others.”Professor Ijabadeniyi Stated.
Speaking on deplorable Ado-Ijan-Ekiti road condition,now turned a death trap for users,the Acting VC called on the federal government for immediate reconstruction.
He recounted the intervention made by the founder of ABUAD,Aare Afe Babalola on the road from 2009 to 2019,saying further support has gone beyond his capacity as a result of the quantum of projects he has embarked upon across the State.
“You all know Baba is an individual person.The timeline can only come from the government The road has become worrisome.Just yesterday night at about 11:00 pm,I called on the Director of Project and Physical planning. I drew his attention to deplorable condition of the road.It is worrisome.And It is also a testament to the type of government that we have .
“During Campaigns,you will see them gallivanting. Coming to Baba to prostrate, but after campaigns,after elections,you won’t see them again.
“Baba thought that Ekiti State Cargo Airport will force them to rehabilitate and fix the road .That was why Baba committed billions of naira It was quite pathetic. But we will continue to shout. But most importantly gentlemen of the press,it is you that we rely upon that can bail us out”Prof. Ijabadeniyi State
“If the University is more accessible,it will attract Patronage from both local and international audience as a result of which it would win more laurels for the State and the nation at large”.
Professor Ijabadeniyi also used forum to announce that Times Higher Education has ranked ABUAD No. 84th in the World,3rd in Africa, 1st in Africa in (SDG 7 – Affordable & Clean Energy),1st in Africa(SDG 13- Climate Change),2nd in Africa (SDG 1 – No Poverty), 3rd in Africa (SDG 17 – Partnership for Goals), 1st in Nigeria (2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025).
The Acting ABUAD VC explained further that the propeller of their success story are attributed to the resilience and dedication of Aare Afe Babalola towards making the University a citadel of learning,making waves in other sectors such as health,agriculture,lar among others.
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