The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, University of Ibadan Governing Council, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, CON, has described the action of the Governor of Kano State, His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as an exemplary and exceptional act of benevolence towards his alma mater. He therefore used the opportunity to send a message to the entire citizens of Nigeria that the age when government could totally sponsor university education was gone.
He noted that all over the world, the Alumni are the backbones of their alma mater with their contributions through various endowments.
Chief Odigie-Oyegun made these assertions when he received Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje on a courtesy visit to UI on Friday, 11 March, 2022.
The Pro-Chancellor described the personal benefaction of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as an astonishing and helpful donation for the University of Ibadan. He noted that it was in recognition of this that the Governing Council had to break its meeting to receive the governor as a show of appreciation for his kind gesture and to use the opportunity to call on notable Nigerians to support the government in funding university education.
Dr. Ganduje was in the University of Ibadan for the turning of the sod of the 250 million naira, 500 seater Ganduje Large Lecture Theatre for the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan. He also delivered the 2022 Alumni Lecture entitled, “Challenges of Insecurity and Nation Building” organized by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Worldwide.
In his response, the executive governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje noted that his Doctorate Degree training in the University of Ibadan some 30 years ago equipped him for the giant strides he was able to accomplish in all spheres of life.
In his reminiscences, he submitted that his sojourn in UI helped him to prove critics wrong and to confirm that there was no discrimination in UI adding that everyone was treated equally.
He recalled some of those moments that endeared him to his alma mater and said he considered it a rare privilege to give back from what was given him over 30 years ago.
Among the entourage of Governor Ganduje were Mr. Nasiru A. Kolli, Deputy Governor of Kano State; Mr. Muhammed Garba, Commissioner of Information; Mr. Idris A. Ditofa, Permanent Secretary, Protocol and Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi Umar, Son.
Present at the occasion were the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Aderonke Baiyeroju; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Prof. Oluyemisi A. Bamgbose, SAN. Other Council Members present were Comrade Abba E. Yaro, Senator Abubakar Maikafi, Dr. Masa’udu A. Kazaure, Mr. V.T.A. Semowo; Registrar, Mrs Olubunmi O. Faluyi; University Librarian, Dr Helen Komolafe-Opadeji.
Others were Provost College of Medicine, Prof. Olayinka Omigbodun; President, University of Ibadan Alumni Association, worldwide, Prof. Elsie Adewoye; Senator Gbenga Kaka, Former Deputy Governor of Ogun State; Professor Joseph Adeola Fuwape, Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure; Prof Remi Aiyede, Head, Department of Political Science and Dr. Kemi Emina, Former Alumni President.
