…Prof. Ige highlights achievements, future plans
The Governor of Ondo State and Visitor to Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has praised the resourcefulness and substantial contributions of the institution to the State and beyond.
Akeredolu, who also recognized the university’s role in staff training and skilled personnel development, highlighted AAUA’s integral connection to the growth and development in the state and the nation.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Pastor Femi Agagu, while addressing the University’s 12th Convocation, observed that the institution stands as a significant contributor to staff training and the development of skilled personnel in our state and beyond.
The Convocation which was held on December 8 and 9, 2023, also celebrated the diverse accomplishments of students across various faculties. At the well attended Convocation ceremony, 42 graduated with First Class out of the total 5,249 graduates. 1,088 bagged Second Class Upper Division degrees, 2,264 had Second Class Lower Division, while 605 got Third Class.
Faculty of Education led with 1,202 graduands, followed by Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Administration and Management Sciences, Agriculture, Law, the Institute of Part-Time, and the Institute of Education. Additionally, about 180 graduands received postgraduate degrees, with 24 achieving the prestigious Ph.D. category.
The Visitor explained that countless civil and public sector workers, both within and outside the government, have benefitted from the rich education offered by the institution, adding that AAUA has become intricately interwoven into the tapestry of growth and development within the state and the nation at large.
The Governor acknowledged AAUA’s vision to be a leading institution in research, and applauded recent research endeavours by both staff and students.
While calling for greater efforts, as he stated that the current era requires substantial scholarly contributions to navigate uncertain paths, the Visitor stressed that, state institutions, especially AAUA, must take the lead in this domain.
Akeredolu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing essential support and encouragement to state-owned institutions, empowering them to fulfil their founding vision and mission statements.
He expressed pride in AAUA being consistently rated the Best State University in Nigeria within the past four years.
While pledging more support, Governor Akeredolu appealed to philanthropists, stakeholders, and prosperous community members to collaborate with the government in expanding infrastructural growth within educational institutions across the state.
In his address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, reiterated the steadfast dedication of the Council members to propel the institution toward greater achievements.
“The Governing Council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, remains unwavering in its commitment to advancing our achievements. Our strategic focus encompasses fostering a conducive learning environment, instilling strong character development, promoting entrepreneurial skills, and actively engaging in meaningful community service initiatives”, he added.
The Pro-Chancellor attributed the progress made by the University to the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, highlighting the contributions of staff, host communities, and university leadership.
“Recognizing the synergistic collaboration among the Universitys leadership, dedicated staff, and supportive host communities, we have successfully cultivated an environment of stability, peace, and progressive growth at AAUA,” he acknowledged.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, while congratulating the graduands on their accomplishments, said, “As you step into the world armed with the right knowledge and skills, I urge you to make significant contributions to society. Be ambassadors of excellence, integrity, and innovation. Stay connected with your alma mater, contribute to its growth, and inspire future generations.”
Prof. Ige reflected on the efforts of his administration to enhance the University’s standing, while reassuring the commitment of management and staff to excellence through continuous staff training, re-invention of academic programmes, and the establishment of a broad research agenda. He equally highlighted ongoing collaborations with reputable foreign organizations and universities to foster internationalization and benchmarking with global best practices.
The VC assured stakeholders of the University’s dedication to excellence and its ambition to secure a prominent place on the international pedestal. He emphasized proactive measures to revitalize the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and the integration of advanced technological solutions to enhance University operations.
He said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, despite the prevailing economic challenges in the country, I am pleased to note that this years Convocation is a testament to our commitment to benchmark our university against the best and most competitive institutions globally. It is the result of a deliberate initiative to institutionalise the University and elevate its competitive edge.
“Presently, all the University’s academic programmes are accredited by the National Universities Commission. Moreover, the University’s professional programmes, including Law, Accounting, Banking and Finance, and Geology, hold accreditation from their respective professional bodies. These structures have been diligently reinforced annually to produce this years graduands.
” We are confident that what the University releases to the society during this convocation ceremony are graduates equipped, not only with essential skills that make them significant contributors to the nation’s and world’s developmental trajectory, but also with entrepreneurial competencies essential in an economy fostering private enterprise.
“In our commitment to internationalisation and benchmarking operations with global best practices, the University continues to foster partnerships and networks with sister universities both locally and abroad. Worthy of mention is our Adekunle Ajasin University Business School, Akure, which stands as another significant milestone in our administrations commitment to the kind of education we envisioned, driving economic growth, fostering self-reliance among our people, and promoting all-round development in the State.
“As a university and as an administration, our focus remains on the future. “We are steadfast in our commitment to the vision of our founding fathers. To this end, we are deliberately building institutions, erecting structures, re-tooling and re-inventing our programmes, training and re-training our staff, and determinedly building a 21st-century university, truly deserving of its name! This is the legacy we shall continue to pursue, ensuring the good name of the university remains intact, as this is the future we bequeath to posterity”.
Overall Best Graduate, Abidemi Ojo, who graduated from the Department of Linguistics and Languages with a CGPA of 4.87, expressed gratitude to God for granting him the grace to attain the feat.
Ojo, who noted that he defied all odds and remained focused academically, observed, Poverty should not be an excuse for academic failure and every hardship that people undergo in life should prepare them for future success
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