A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and alumnus of the University of Ibadan, Mr. Olatunde Busari has called on alumni to support tertiary institutions so that the infrastructures they benefited from can be replaced, modernised, or refurbished.
This was said at the handing over of the renovated Adeola Odutola Law Library complex by Mr. Olatunde Busari, SAN, the Chairman of VFD Group Plc. to the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan on Friday as part of activities to celebrate his 60th birthday.
The SAN, who testified to the transformative effect of higher institutions of learning on individuals and the development of any society, regretted the decline in the Nigerian educational system, and called for Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to address the decay of infrastructures in our institutions of learning.
As part of his CSR, Mr. Busari, SAN said the newly-renovated Adeola Odutola Law Library was an appreciation to his alma mater and a gift that will help shape the lives of future generations that will make use of the facility.
The library, according to him, “is the cornerstone of any school, but this is especially true for the Faculty of Law. My hope is that these renovations to the library will improve the learning environment and students’ access to critical materials and support services that help them succeed in their studies and careers.”
In the company of the donor were his wife, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Busari; daughter, Miss Aliyat Busari; sister, Ms. Sherifah Busari and members of the VFD Group Plc. led by the Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr Nonso Okpala, who was Special Guest of Honour at the handing over ceremony.
The Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof. Simisola Akintola said the library is the lifeblood of the Faculty of Law as students, faculty, and staff rely heavily on the library for research, study, and intellectual exploration.
She appreciated the commitment of Mr. Busari, SAN, an indigene of the city of Ibadan, and noted that the donation will make delivery of legal education easier as well as impact positively, legal practice in Nigeria and globally.
The new University Librarian, Dr. Mercy Iroaganachi said sustainability is vital and assured the donor that the University of Ibadan will ensure that the facilities are put to good use and maintained.
The President of the Law Students Society, Mr Oluwamidun Adebiyi, expressed the students’ gratitude and assured that the facilities would be put to the best uses.
In his acceptance speech, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose, SAN, appreciated the renovation and commended the Faculty of Law for maintaining good relationship with its alumni.
She noted that the University of Ibadan remains the “First and the Best” and will continue to promote higher education. She recalled that in the most recent Biometric University rankings, the University of Ibadan was ranked 1st in Nigeria, 3rd in West Africa, 8th in Africa, and among the first 500 in the world.
The Faculty of Law received more donations as the Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof. Simisola Akintola took the donor and his entourage on tour of the newly renovated Faculty Library.
Mr. Olatunde Busari, SAN, again promised to supply the Faculty the Nigerian Weekly Law Reports up to year 2024; Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, promised to donate All England Law Reports while Mr. Abiodun A. Olatunji, SAN, also promised a photocopier machine and the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) for the maintenance of the Library.
The Faculty of Law also used the opportunity to appreciate the contributions of some personalities to the continued growth of the Faculty by giving them plaques. These included Mr Adebayo Adenipekun, SAN; Mr Ogunrinde, SAN; Mr Abiodun Olatunji, SAN; Mr Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, SAN; Mr Olatunde Busari, SAN; and Mrs Funmi Quadri, SAN.
