The Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, has promised to further sustain the existing cordial relationship between the government of Ondo State and the Federal University of Technology, Akure. He stated this while playing host to the management of the University led by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji which paid him a courtesy call to commiserate with him and the entire people of the state over the demise of the former governor, His Excellency, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), and to also congratulate him over his emergence as the governor of the state.
The governor acknowledged the relationship between FUTA and Ondo State, especially Akure, the host city which predates his administration, especially the one extended to his former boss and principal, the late governor Akeredolu, and by extension to him too. He eulogized governor Akeredolu saying his legacies are there for all to see. He described himself as one of the living legacies of Akeredolu who made him governor, even in death.
Responding to some of the issues raised by the Vice Chancellor on security and road network, Governor Ayedatiwa promised that security agencies would improve their security cover around the institution while the works ministry will work on some roads close to FUTA. He said “in the area of security, we believe we can do better as a state to secure lives and property. It is one of our major responsibilities to do and we will buckle up especially in areas where your students, who are our children, reside. On the roads leading to the campus, especially the North and the South gates, we will ask our officials in related areas to visit and do on-the-spot assessment to know what could be done.
FUTA is a very responsible organization operating in Ondo State, especially in the area of tax remittance and intellectual and capacity building. So we must not neglect the university which is one of our prides. Be free to reach us in any area where you need our support. This will further cement our relationship.”
Ayedatiwa who commended the contributions of FUTA to the intellectual, human resource and capital development and socio-economic activities of Ondo State and Nigeria through churning out of graduates who are making waves in the country and beyond extolled the intellectual virtues of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Oladiji in handling both academic and national assignments. “I can boldly say that Professor Oladiji is a quintessential administrator. I appreciate the role she played during one of the toughest elections in Nigeria, especially in Lagos State where she displayed honesty and transparency in the discharge of her duty as the Returning Officer. I also commend the quality of teaching and research activities in the university evident in the quality of your products some of who are part of my government adding value to this administration. Your alumni are making us proud in Nigeria and globally. This is possible because of the quality of training they got from you.”
Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji commended the roles Ondo State; especially Akure played and still plays in the development of FUTA, especially in having peaceful atmosphere to operate over the years. She however pleaded for more support from the state in the areas of security and road maintenance, especially around the North and South gates of the University.
She said “we are part of your community and we want to feel more of your impact and presence around and within our campus. For want of enough accommodation for the teeming population of our students which is over 20,000 and over 15,000 residing off campus, we need more presence of the state security personnel around places where our students reside to prevent and avoid unnecessary molestation. Also, the roads leading to the two major gates of our institution (North and South gates) and internal roads on campus need the attention of your government. We appreciate what the state leadership has done for us in the past, but we need more. We wish you well in your political career and in your leadership of the state.”
The Vice Chancellor had on her entourage the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Taiwo Amos; the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development, Professor Sunday Oluyamo; the Registrar, Mr. Charles Adeleye; the Bursar, Mr. Julius Adesoba; the Librarian, Dr. Robert Awoyemi; the Dean, School of Environmental Technology, Professor Isaac Aje; the Dean, Students Affairs, Professor Olanrewaju Oke; Chairman, FUTA Radio Board , Professor Tomola Marshall Obamuyi , the Director, Corporate Communications and Protocol, Mr. Adegbenro Adebanjo; the Deputy Registrar (VC’s Office), Mr. Ade Fafila; Deputy Director, Corporate Communications and Protocol, Mr. Tunde Adeoye; Senior Assistant Registrar (VC’s Office), Mr. Bayo Ewuola; and Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Communications and Protocol, Mrs. Taye Fagbuyi.
