Activities marking the 55th Convocation Ceremonies of the ΄σΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅ (΄σΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅) continued in earnest on Monday, January 13, 2025 with the commissioning of projects by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN.
The projects commissioned included;
- The African Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development and Regulatory Science (ACEDHARS Building), a World Bank supported Centre of Excellence project which focuses on the development of indigenous plants for medical applications;
- The new 120 bed-space Moremi Hall extension and;
- The new ultra-modern Learning Commons, an extension of the University Main library which is dedicated to student-centered services, creative engagement, research-collaboration, and knowledge co-creation.
In his remarks before unveiling each of the projects, Chief Olanipekun showered encomia on the University Management led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, for what he called, βa thoughtful, purposeful, progressive and dynamic leadershipβ.
Chief Olanipekun was particularly impressed and visibly elated over the sense of unity, purpose and team spirit among members of management, a feat, he said, accounts for the monumental strides being recorded in ΄σΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅.
On behalf of the entire Governing Council, Chief Olanipekun assured the University Management of the needed support and encouragement with a view to sustaining the tempo of the good works ongoing in ΄σΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅.
Similarly, in her remarks at each of the project sites, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS appreciated the University Governing Council led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, the University Senate, members of Management, staff and students for the cooperation which brought about the monumental progress.
She described the ACEDHARS Building, the Moremi Hostel extension and Library Learning Commons as projects deliberately targeted at building capacity and adding extra value thereby ensuring improved studentsβ experience on campus.
The Centre Leader of ACEDHARS, Professor Bolanle Ade-Ademilua; Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Musa Obalola and the University Librarian, Professor Yetunde Zaid all gave insights into the projects, describing each one as essential components of the Future- Ready Agenda of the Professor Folasade Ogunsola led University Management.
The project commissioning over, action shifted to the ΄σΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅ Senate Car park. This location was a beehive of activities, with innovations and works of staff and students of the University on display at various exhibition stands, for admiration and purchase by the array of guests who were on ground to identify with ΄σΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅ on its 55th convocation ceremonies.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, performed the official opening of the exhibition in company of other members of the Governing Council as well as the University management team led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS.
The entourage visited different stands to admire the works and innovations on display.
Chief Fanimokun Turns the Sod for SPGS Building
Later in the afternoon, action shifted to the SPGS Site situated besides the ΄σΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅ Human Resources and Development Centre (HRDC), for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ultramodern Fanimokun School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS) Building.
The project according to the donor; Chief Tunde Fanimokun epitomizes his commitment to education, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and good governance being his resolution as he clocks 80.
Chief Fanimokun also committed to donating a Language Laboratory, endowment of a Professorial Chair in Gerontology as well as infrastructures for students hostels and staff housing.
In their remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Chief Wole Olanipekun and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola appreciated Chief Tunde Fanimokun for his magnanimity towards ΄σΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅. They described Chief Fanimokun’s gesture as a clarion to all stakeholders especially philanthropists and public spirited individuals, Β to recommit to the growth and development of tertiary education in Nigeria.
Earlier in his remarks, the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Abraham Osinubi described the turning of the sod for the ultramodern Fanimokun School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS) Building as the actualization of the vision to reposition postgraduate studies in ΄σΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅.
While appreciating the benefactor of the edifice and the university management for the commitment which brought about the actualization, Prof. Osinubi said, when completed, the Ultramodern SPGS Building will βinspire educators to deliver world class postgraduate education, mentor with purpose and lead with visionβ.
Congregation for the Award of First Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates and Prizes to Graduating students of Faculties begins on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 with graduating students from the Faculties of Education and Social Sciences having their turns during the morning session (9:00 am) while those from the Faculties of Arts, Environmental Sciences, and Science will have theirs during the afternoon session (1:00 pm).
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photography: Samuel Dosumu & Michael Joshua
