By; NIYI OGUNGBOLA, Abeokuta
The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has assured that the State would continue to maintain its enviable status as the education capital of Nigeria by giving adequate priority to standard of education.
Governor Amosun gave the assurance at the 27th convocation ceremony for the 2016/2017 academic sessions of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.
Governor Amosun who explained that qualitative education was a major priority of his administration, said government efforts are beginning to yield great results, adding that the University was now at an enviable position in the comity of higher institutions in Nigeria.
The Governor commended the management of the institution for the great achievements recorded so far, while enjoining the graduands to be good ambassadors of the University and the State at large, wherever they find themselves in the future.
While reiterating his administration’s commitment at making the University a reference point, the Governor said his government would continue to support the institution to reach an enviable height.
Governor Amosun charged both the graduating and undergraduates to guide the name of the institution jealously, protect facilities and ensure that peace and tranquillity reign in the campuses and its environs.
He thereafter performed the turning of sod for the construction of the new Senate building for the university, assuring that it would be commissioned during the 28th convocation.
On her part, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Mrs Mosun Bello-Olusoga, commended the efforts of the immediate past members of the Council on the lofty achievements recorded during their tenure, assuring that the present council would sustain and improve on it.
Olusoga noted that the University has enjoyed rapid infrastructural development in the last six years, because of judicious utilization of funds from the State government, urging the granduands to follow their passion and seek excellence in all their endeavours.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Professor Ganiyu Olatunde, noted that a total of 5,040 graduands were awarded First Degrees, Diplomas, Postgraduate Diplomas, Higher and Doctoral Degrees.
Prof. Olatunde commending the State government for creating an enabling environment for education sector to thrive, stating that the University has continued to experience sustained academic development and uninterrupted academic activities in the last six years.
He added that four outstanding Nigerians, including the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, HRM, Oba (Dr.) Adedotun Gbadebo, the Founder and Chairman of Coronation Capital Market, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukuede, the Chairman Board of Directors, First Bank Plc, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, and Professor Toyin Falola from the University of Texas, Austin, U.S.A, were conferred with honorary awards, for their contributions to the development of the State, Nigeria and humanity.
