As part of its commitment to immortalize the late Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Adebiyi Adesida Afunbiowo II, who joined his ancestors about ten years ago, family led by its Matriarch, YeyeOba Mojisola Adesida, has begun the construction of a female hostel to be named after the late monarch at the Federal University of Technology, Akure,FUTA. Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony at the site of the hostel on Thursday, 20th April 2023, Yeye Oba Adesida said the late Oba was a lover of education, a passion he pursued vigorously by sponsoring indigent students and awarding scholarship to deserving candidates. According to her the aim of the family is to realize the dream of the late Oba and preserve his legacy support for education.
Going down memory lane, she said the relationship between her husband with FUTA was further strengthened during the time of Late Professor Adebiyi Daramola as Vice Chancellor. She said the family would sustain the relationship with FUTA in line with the precept established by Oba Adesida. She described FUTA has a model university with excellent staff and students. YeyeOba Adesida commended the management of the institution under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, for making the occasion see the light of the day and working to sustain and improve on the development of FUTA.
In her remark, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Oladiji said FUTA , “is proud to host and find a place to accommodate the laudable project.” She thanked the family for finding FUTA worthy enough to partner with. She commended the zeal and tenacity of the family towards the commencement of the project. She said going by the excellence of the family and the worthy track record of the late monarch , she was persuaded that the project would be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
The Director of Physical Planning Unit, Engr Oladeji Boyinbode thanked the Vice Chancellor and the management team for providing an opportunity for a Private Public Partnership ,PPP initiative in the development of FUTA. He also thanked the Adesida Dynasty for the show of love and great gesture shown. He said the phase 1 consists of bungalow building with 40 rooms and 80 bed spaces with a plan completion time of 8 months. He said the project will be delivered within the framework of Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model of Private Public Partnership. He stated that the building with modern facilities like kitchenette, courtyard, common rooms and all ensuite rooms will further alleviate accommodation challenges for students upon completion.
In a vote of thanks, the Registrar, Mr. Richard Arifalo, described the Adesidas as a family of erudite scholars who value education. He thanked the Yeye Oba for finding FUTA worthy to be beneficiary of the gesture and also assured them that the legacies of the family will always be extoled in the institution.
Dignitaries at the event include members of the Adesida Dynasty, friends of the late Kabiyesi, and management of FUTA.