Ogun to launch Education Trust Fund, as OOU gets 1,600-bed hostel facility
By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed that an Education Trust Fund that would help in providing sustainable fund for infrastructural development for all levels of education would soon be launched in the State.
The Governor also approved the construction of 1,600 bed hostel facility to address the accommodation challenge at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.
Speaking at the 30th and 31st Convocation Ceremonies of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, the Governor noted that the Fund would enable the State meet the funding deficit that has existed over the years.
According to him, “Very soon, we will launch the Ogun State Education Trust Fund to provide us with sustainable fund for Infrastructural development for all levels of education in the State.
“In addition, as your visitor, my commitment to providing the right ambience for research, teaching and learning is total, in this regard, I have just facilitated the provision of one thousand, six hundred bed hostel for Olabisi Onabanjo University, this is yet another initiative of your government to provide an wholesome experience for our students.
“I congratulate the best graduating student for the year 2019/2020 academic session, Adebisi Awolumate of the department of Cooperatives and Rural Development, she graduated with a GPA of 4.28, in the same vein, I want to congratulate the best graduating student for the year 2020/2021 academic session, Pharm. Iloka Peter of the department of Pharmacy with a G.P.A of 4.92.”
The Governor who lauded the university for being one of the few schools without crisis since he assumed office about three years ago, also applauded the management for for sustaining development, adding that it has grown to becoming one of the foremost higher institutions in the country.
He acknowledged the giant strides the school has made over the years, saying that school remained the fourth best state university and 17th in over 200 universities in the country, urging the institution to work towards occupying the first position in the near future.
While charging the school to lead the way in producing quality manpower, as well as inspired practical solutions to human challenges, the governor urged them to look for partners that would assist the school in its sustainable drive, saying his administration would promote education as it is central to the ISEYA mantra.
The Governor said the Ilisan-Ago-Iwoye road has been rewarded to expedite the construction for ease movement of the people, appreciated those who have contributed to the development of the school and called for more partnership.
“For Olabisi Onabanjo University and it’s immediate environment, the re-award of the contract for the construction and completion of the Ilishan-Ago-Iwoye is another demonstration of our commitment to improve on physical infrastructure in this area.
“When I was coming this morning, I had to go through the Ishara-Ago-Iwoye road and even the state of that road shocked me and convinced me about the reason why we need to expedite the reconstruction of the Ilishan-Ago-Iwoye road and that has started, it is our belief that this road will ease the movement of the people in this area.
The Governor thereafter gave automatic employment and the sum of N1m to the overall best graduating student for 2019-2020, Miss Adebisi Awolumate of Department of Cooperative and Community Development, who graduated with 4.28 and 2020-2021 best graduating student, Mr. Ebuka Iloka, 2020-2021 from Department of Pharmacy with 4.92 GPA
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Pro. Ganiyu Olatunde, said the institution has witnessed significant growth and development in its operational and administrative sectors has it as transited from non-residential to residential with over 3,000 students resident in the campus, while discussions are on with private developers to build additional 75 housing units for staff.
The University according to the Vice Chancellor, has established a Sexual Harassment Policy Committee to handle issues of sexual harassment and other acts of gender-based violence, while dress codes has been enforced and a Disciplinary Committee saddled with responsibility of reforming students of questionable character was also set up.
He said 446 indigent students are currently on the institution’s scholarship, 25 students are on ‘work-study programme,’ while acres of land were given free of charge to students who are interested in farming while still studying in the university.
While informing that the eTranscript Request System has been set up for easy access to student transcript anywhere in the world, Prof. Olatunde noted that the school currently has 75 approved academic programmes for undergraduate and 181 postgraduate programmes, enjoining the graduands to be good ambassadors of the institution by putting what they had learned into practice.
Delivering the Convocation Lecture titled “Your Future Is In Your Hands,” the Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, likened the students stay in the institution as a journey that started with many, but only few completed it.
Prof. Oloyede who charged the graduands to always remain positive with the right attitude, reminded them that the world is a jungle where only the fittest survive, admonishing them to work on their minds and have self-control at all times.
The Convocation Lecturer observed that indiscipline was the order of the day, especially among the youth, urged the graduands to accept their mistakes, but should not accept defeat, make positive use of their time as the difference between failure and success is on how best time was utilised.
