We’ve Enjoyed Support Of Intervention Funds, Philanthropists – UNIOSUN VC

THE Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Prof. Clement Adebooye has disclosed that the institution has benefited immensely from intervention funds and philanthropists in the society.

Adebooye noted that the university has continued to wax stronger through supports enjoyed from the Federal Government, TETFUND, The Needs Assessment, International Communities and well-meaning individuals in the society.

The VC spoke at the 4th Candido Darocha Annual Memorial Lecture held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium of the University in Osogbo, on Monday which coincided with the 12/13th Convocation Ceremony of the University.

Highlighting the supports the university has received from philanthropists, Adebooye stated that the family of Dr. Mrs. Apostle Folorunso Alakija, Mr. Peter Isola, Tunde Ponle, family of Yusuf Ali (SAN), among others have donated to the school.

He said: “This university has enjoyed supports of the federal government of Nigeria, The Tetfund, The Needs Assessment and international communities, same way we have enjoyed the support of philanthropists, especially the family of Dr. Mrs Apostle Folorunso Alakija who have donated a N34bn Teaching Hospital to the university. 

“Also, the family of Mr. Peter Isola from Ile-Ife donated ten fully equipped CCTV ICT driven to the Professorial suite of Osun State University, Ikire Campus. The family of Yusuf Ali (SAN) donated sixth bedroom school hostel to our college of Law, Ifetedo. 

“The family of Tunde Ponle, Micon Golf, Ada, donated the whole estate of Tunde Ponle to Osun State University in Ada. We shall continue to appreciate the family of late Mrs. Abimbola Aina Mulele for contributing to the advancement of accountancy in this University through the initial donation of N38m and subsequent donation of N20m to drive and promote the Candido Darocha trust fund in honour of her late grandfather, Chief Candido Darocha.”

Speaking on while the university is having two convocations at the same time, the Vice-Chancellor said: “It is not that we are missing one. The tradition of this University used to be when students complete their examination between June and second week of August, we slate them for convocation next year September which will coincide with the foundation time of the university. 

“Therefore, we felt that if these students concluded their exams by the second week of August, why not do everything within the space provided by technology to make sure that script are graded and everything is done to graduate the student in time so that they will not be coming back for their convocation after service.

“We discussed it and the University agreed that this is a good thing to consider and that we should experiment it this year and we carried out the experiment and it has been successful. 

“Therefore, students of this University who concluded their examinations four weeks ago are part of this year convocation ceremony. Henceforth, we shall be graduating our students every September that comes after their final examinations in July of the same year. 

“I want to reinstate that we are very strongly committed to our vision and founding objectives of the university. As a responsible and highly responsive university, our targets are clear, our dreams are known and our strategy are well defined. 

“I want to confirm to you that this university has aspires to become one of the unit of 1-10 Universities in Nigeria by 2026 and becoming one of the 1-25 universities in Africa also by 2026. We know the requirements to achieve all these and we are working very rigorously and vigorously to achieve this.

• Yusuf Oketola