The Vice-Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, has restated the commitment of the institution towards actualizing the dreams and vision of one of its major benefactors, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona. Olatunde declared that maximum support will be given to achieve the objectives of the newly established Institute of Governance Studies and the Professorial Chair in Governance domiciled by the revered Royal Father in the Faculty of Social Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.
The Vice-Chancellor gave this assurance during the official presentation of Prof Akinsola Agagu as the second Occupier of Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona Professorial Chair in Governance to the Awujale at his palace in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Agagu is a Professor of Political Science from the University of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. He succeeded Prof. Ayo Olukotun who recently completed his four-year tenure of two terms as pioneer Occupier of the Professorial Chair.
At the ceremony held on April 6, 2021, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Adigun Agbaje, was also unveiled as the new Director-General of the Institute of Governance Studies at OOU and equally presented to His Royal Majesty.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the immense contributions and unwavering support of the Awujale to the University. He assured that everything possible will be done to reciprocate his kind gesture. He expressed gratitude to the monarch for sponsoring the biggest Professorial Chair in Nigeria and for establishing an Institute of Governance Studies that will promote good governance.
Prof Olatunde said the University Management will always complement the efforts of the Institute for Governance Studies in initiating and executing researches capable of proffering solutions to contemporary challenges in the country and even beyond. According to him, the new appointees will help facilitate the Awujale’s dream for a better country.
His words: “This is a day that we are glad to visit you, Kabiyesi, because it signifies the commencement of the execution of your dream. I’m here with my distinguished colleagues to introduce to you those who we have considered to be drivers of your dreams to ensure that it is executed.
“I want to reassure you that the University will give maximum support to achieve the objectives and aims of the Professorial Chair as well as the Institute of Governance Studies.”
The Vice-Chancellor thanked Prof Olukotun for providing a strong and vibrant leadership in his capacity as pioneer Occupier of the Professorial Chair. He expressed optimism that Prof Agagu, who just took over, would consolidate on the achievements recorded by his predecessor. He also lauded the commitment of other stakeholders who were instrumental to the success of the endowment.
Responding, Oba Adetona appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for his resourcefulness and invaluable role in ensuring his dream becomes a reality. “I owe you a lot of gratitude,” he told Prof Olatunde.
appointment letter from Awujale
The Royal Father noted that the bane of Nigeria’s development is governance and corruption, adding that he decided to introduce the Professorial Chair and the Institute as part of his modest efforts to correct the anomalous situation of the country.
The Awujale, who also commended everyone that contributed to the success of the project, vowed to give all the necessary tools required for those involved to succeed in their respective work. He also pledged his readiness to further assist OOU in fulfilling its core mandates of teaching, research and community service.
One of the monarch’s daughters, Princess (Dr) Adetutu Adetona, who also spoke at the event, expressed her delight at the progress being made on the project. She prayed that the dream and legacy of her father would endure for generations.
At the event, both Agagu and Agbaje were handed their letters of appointment by the Awujale and they gladly accepted the offer. In their respective remarks, the Professors also thanked the Paramount Ruler for considering them worthy to serve.
On his own part, Prof Agagu lauded the University and Awujale for giving him a great opportunity to serve as the new Occupier of the Chair. He promised to contribute his quota towards realising the lofty goals for the endowment.
“Kabiyesi has always been noted for excellence. He is an ethically sound and upright Royal Father. I want to assure you that your dreams and vision will be vigorously pursued. I sincerely thank you and the University for this great opportunity,” he stated.
Speaking in the same vein, Prof. Agbaje praised Oba Adetona for bequeathing a wonderful legacy through the Professorial endowment, noting that the feat would help to stimulate other traditional rulers, politicians and intellectuals to embrace proper governance culture. He said he was excited to be a part of the team that would drive the newly established Institute of Governance Studies.
“I wish to join others to thank you, Kabiesi, for this legacy you have made. It’s a great feat that will stimulate traditional rulers, politicians, intellectuals to know proper way of governance. This project I am excited about. I want to assure you of my support,” Prof Agbaje added.
Making his own contributions, a former Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan and Consultant for OOU in respect of the appointments of the two new Professors, Prof Olufemi Bamiro, lauded the establishment of an Institute of Governance Studies to promote governance issues, stressing that humanity and the country will be grateful for Awujale’s intervention. He predicted that with focus, determination and commitment, the Institute of Governance Studies would grow and become renowned in due course.
“I appreciate our Kabiyesi for involving me and I pray the Institute will be known beyond Nigeria,” he said. “This Institute reminds me of the London Business School. This Institute will be well known like that.”
Prof Bamiro further commended the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for creating an enabling environment for the operations of both the Professorial Chair and the Institute of Governance Studies.
While delivering his valedictory remarks, Prof Olukotun said history had been made with the smooth transition and successful handing over to a new leadership to occupy the Professorial Chair. He spoke highly of his successor, whom he described as an outstanding scholar that would further advance the cause of the Professorial Chair.
To Prof Olukotun, the event marked a major milestone in the actualisation of Kabiyesi’s dream.
“We are witnessing history. This ceremony marks a milestone in the fulfilment of your dream and vision,” he affirmed. “We’ve finished a phase which is the Professorial Chair. The next phase is the Institute. I have enjoyed this job, I have really enjoyed my stay. Kabiyesi gave me a lot of affection, he calls me his son.”
“Prof Agagu is an outstanding scholar, who has published extensively and qualitatively. Olabisi Onabanjo University and the Royal Court is privileged to have him here. Prof. Agbaje will also be of tremendous benefit to the University,” the renowned political scientist and media scholar added.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Professorial Chair, Mr. Tunji Ayanlaja, SAN, has extolled the virtues of the Awujale, saying every Yoruba man and indeed, Ijebu native, should be proud of him. The eminent legal practitioner said Oba Adetona has distinguished himself as a monarch and thanked God for sparing his life.
Ayanlaja noted that Awujale had provided the country with a worthy investment with the Professorial Chair and the Institute of Governance Studies whose buildings were under construction. The Senior Advocate, however, pointed out that by the time construction of the Institute is completed, “it’s going to be a masterpiece.”
“I am proud to be an Ijebu man and I thank God for the life of Kabiyesi. To make this country a better place for our children, that’s the purpose for establishing this Professorial Chair and the Institute of Governance Studies. I want to assure you that by the time we finish the Institute, it’s going to be a masterpiece. People from around the world will continue to visit the place,” he said.
The Board of Trustees Chairman also gave kudos to Professor Olukotun, describing him as exceptionally good. He said the pioneer Occupier of the Professorial Chair performed excellently and beyond expectations during his tenure. He assured that even after the expiration of his tenure, the don would still be involved in the activities of the Institute. He equally thanked Professor Bamiro and Dr. Kolade Mosuro for their invaluable contributions to the Awujale legacy projects.
Ayanlaja also charged the newly appointed Occupier of the Professorial Chair to leave up to expectations and perform even beyond his predecessor.
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