VISITOR to the Technical University, Ibadan and governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on Friday read out what appeared a list of demands on what he expects as achievements from the institution’s pioneer council and management – which he said had been carefully and thoughtfully put together.
Speaking shortly after the installation of a world class geologist and entrepreneur, Chief (Dr) Tunde Afolabi as the chancellor of the Technical University, Ajimobi said he believed the team, under the leadership of the chancellor; the pro-chancellor, Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe and the vice chancellor, Professor Ayobami Salami, would deliver outstanding results.
Specifically, he said he expected that the team would help provide exceptional educational experience for students of the Technical University by creating ambience for recruitment of high calibre staff for teaching and learning.
He also said he expected the team would help equip every student with managerial skills consistent with international best practices; and would forge and maintain effective partnership between the university and other strategic stakeholders in order to establish credible national and international collaborations.
“To say this ceremony is an epoch-making one is to put it mildly. I dare say it is historical; a mission accomplished, a dream come true,” he enthused.
Ajimobi said with the wealth of experience of the chancellor and the support of the pro-chancellor and the vice chancellor, he believed the Technical University would succeed.
The governor, however, stressed that Technical University was established on a public/private partnership model as a fee-paying institution that would open its doors only to brilliant students, rich or poor.
But he warned that the university would have to leverage on the assemblage of experts and accomplished individuals on its team to operate, as the state government would only provide resources for it to takeoff.
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“The commitment of government is to provide resources for its takeoff; after this, you pay your bills,” he said.
“While government will honor its commitment in this regard, it is imperative that the university begins to look out for partnerships that would make it attain full financial autonomy as a self-sustaining university.”
The vice chancellor, Professor Salami, thanked the governor for “the unqualified support that he has given both to the vision for establishing the university and the management under my leadership for its takeoff.”
Particularly, he thanked Ajimobi for awarding the contract for construction of the access road and the university gate. He also thanked the governor for his efforts at developing public education, from which the scholarship students were drawn in an apolitical, merit-based way.
The matriculation oath had earlier been administered on the pioneer set of students.
He advised the students to sustain their interest in the university and serve as the beacon for those coming behind them.
Dignitaries at the event included former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Head of Service, Oyo State, Mrs Hannah Ogunesan; Revd Mrs Tola Oyediran; industrialist, Chief Bode Amoo; and vice chancellors of the Federal University of Technology, Akure; Samuel Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo; among others.
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