Education
BUA Group Chairman, Rabiu Donates N1Bn to UI
The Chairman, Bua Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, has donated one billion naira to the University of Ibadan to improve critical infrastructure in the institution.
Alhaji Rabiu made the donation during a courtesy call on the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebola Babatunde Ekanola, in his office on Thursday.
Rabiu, the initiator of AbdulSamad Rabiu Initiative (ASR Africa), represented by Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, the Director, Government Relations, Bua Group, said the annual ASR Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal is an intervention initiative of the AbdulSamad Rabiu Initiative for Africa (ASR Africa) targeted at impactful and sustainable interventions in Social Development, Health and Education in Africa, and that all interventions fall within these three areas, stressing that the donation is made to the “University of Ibadan in recognition of the quality services delivered by your institution and the pedigree of graduates nationally and internationally.”
Dr. Hong said: “AbdulSamad Rabiu Initiative (ASR) is a foundation that was established by Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu towards giving back to the society. The Chairman and Founder of this initiative is a very patriotic Nigerian and he believes in the development of Nigeria. After working very diligently and very hard as a business man, he deemed it fit to give back to the society, where he would improve the quality of life of Nigerians and Africans.”
According to him, “he has set aside annually, a continuous One Hundred Million dollars ($100,000,000) grant for sustainable development, health and education intervention in Nigeria and Africa. As a first tranche of this endowment, Fifty Million ($50,000,000:00) dollar has been set aside specifically for Nigeria’s intervention and another Fifty Million ($50,000,000:00) dollar has been set aside for the rest of Africa”
“These interventions will be in the areas of education, health and social development. And part of this has already been committed. Six Billion Naira (N6,000,000,000:00) has been allocated to six premier universities; one per geo-political zone in the country that would benefit towards augmenting their resources and intervening in their area of need to improve the quality of the services they render in their institutions”, Hong explained.
He further stated that “more interventions would be given in the areas of health and social development; and other educational institutions would benefit from these. This is not just a one-off thing. It would be an annual event that sooner or later we would still come back to Ibadan, God willing.”
Alhaji Rabiu’s representative lauded the Acting Vice-Chancellor for promptly identifying the projects that needed intervention.
The Acting VC, in accepting the donation, thanked the Chairman of AbdulSamad Rabiu Initiative and the entire Group for the wonderful intervention in a statement by the University’s Director of Public Communication, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo.
He said: “the donation will go a long way in empowering the University to be more efficient and effective in its activities that are related to teaching, research and community service.”
Ekanola further said the donation will empower the institution to train its students for global relevance and competitiveness.
He told the benefactor that the University of Ibadan is an high-ranking world-class institution with a vision for sustainable development of the society, saying that the University looks for a continuous relationship with ASR Initiative.
“From what we have heard and have been told, this is not a one-off thing; it is something that will continue from time to time. So, what we can say is that this initiative will go a long way in revamping the higher education sector in Nigeria, with specific reference to university system generally”, the Acting VC said.
Dr. Hong was accompanied on the visit by the Group Head, Corporate Communications, BUA Group, Mr. O’tega Ogra.
Present at the occasion were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. K. O. Adebowale, Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Faluyi; Acting Bursar, Mr. O.A. Abimbola; University Librarian, Dr. Hellen Komolafe-Opadeji; Director of Works, Engr. Adetolu; Director, University Advancement Centre, Mr. A.A. Adeosun and the Deputy Registrar (Vice-Chancellor ‘s Office), Mr. O. Dada.
Seeks FG’s Intervention on Infrastructure, Expansion
The Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State, has reaffirmed its commitment to academic and infrastructural excellence as it formally admitted its third set of students during a matriculation ceremony held on Thursday at the TETFund Auditorium, Iresa-Pupa Temporary Campus.
No fewer than 574 students were officially admitted into the institution for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The event was well attended by distinguished guests, including the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje, who was represented by Dr John Onyebuchi, Deputy Director, NBTE Southwest Zonal Office. The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) was also represented by Mallam Bala Adamu.
The traditional institution was represented by the Aresa-Pupa of Iresa-Pupa, Oba Moses Olayiwola Ajiboye JP, Ajiboye III. Other notable attendees included the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Engr. (Dr) Sani Man Yahya, represented by the Deputy Rector (Academics), Alhaji I. A. Lawal; the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Engr. (Dr) Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin, represented by the Deputy Rector (Academics), Dr Mulikatu Aliu; and the Provost of the Federal College of Education, Iwo, Prof. R. A. Adebayo, represented by the Registrar, Alhaji Yusuf Aderibigbe among others.
Speaking at the event, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, congratulated the newly admitted students and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to delivering quality technical and vocational education.
“You have earned your place here through hard work and dedication. Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, is committed to equipping you with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to thrive in your chosen careers,” he stated.
Dr Abdul-Hameed highlighted the rapid growth of the Polytechnic since its establishment in March 2021, noting that it was the first among the six newly created federal polytechnics to commence academic and administrative activities in June 2022.
He disclosed that the institution now has over 1,200 students, making it the most populated among its counterparts. It currently offers 12 accredited National Diploma (ND) programmes, with plans to introduce 29 additional programmes.
“The Office Technology and Management (OTM) programme will soon commence as its resource verification process is at an advanced stage,” he added.
The Rector further announced that the Polytechnic’s Academic Board had approved the results of its first graduating set, paving the way for its maiden convocation this year.
“A convocation ceremony to confer diplomas and prizes will be held this year, and the official date will be announced in due course,” he stated.
Addressing recent reports of a building collapse at the Polytechnic, Abdul-Hameed dismissed the claims as misleading, clarifying that no structure had collapsed on any of the institution’s campuses.
“What was falsely reported was a minor structural defect involving a cantilever under construction. The contractor is already addressing the issue under strict supervision,” he explained, urging the public to disregard the misinformation aimed at tarnishing the Polytechnic’s reputation.
While commending President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s support for education, the Rector urged the Federal Government to increase funding, particularly for infrastructure and research.
“We seek special intervention programmes to support our expansion efforts and the construction of access roads to improve connectivity,” he appealed.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund, and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) towards the Polytechnic’s growth. Continuing, he lauded Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, for his support and sought further assistance from the state government.
The Don advised the newly admitted students to embrace discipline, diligence, and innovation, urging them to take full advantage of the institution’s resources.
“The Polytechnic has provided you with the resources and a conducive environment to succeed. It is now your responsibility to make the most of this opportunity,” the Rector said.
The Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Oyo State, has announced that its 2024/2025 matriculation ceremony will take place on Thursday, 27th March 2025.
In a statement signed by the institution’s Protocols and Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday Adepoju, on behalf of the Rector, Engr. Dr Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, the event is scheduled to hold at the polytechnic’s temporary site in Iresa-Pupa, Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to the statement, the academic procession will commence at 9:00 a.m., followed by the main ceremony at 10:00 a.m.
Established in 2021 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Federal Polytechnic Ayede admitted its pioneer students in the 2022/2023 academic session. Initially, the institution commenced with four departments: Science Laboratory Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, Computer Science, and Statistics.
By the 2023/2024 academic session, the institution expanded its academic offerings with eight additional National Diploma (ND) programmes, increasing the total to 12. The newly introduced courses include Computer Engineering Technology, Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology, Agricultural Technology, Science Laboratory Technology, Computer Science, Statistics, Tourism Management Technology, Estate Management and Valuation, Urban and Regional Planning, Accountancy, Business Administration and Management, and Public Administration.
These 12 ND programmes are structured under five academic schools, School of Agricultural Technology,School of Science and Technology, School of Engineering Technology, School of Environmental Technology and School of Management Sciences.
The institution also announced that the orientation programme for fresh students commenced on Tuesday, 25th March, and will continue on Wednesday, 26th March, at the Iresa-Pupa temporary site. The programme will feature addresses from distinguished scholars and professionals, providing guidance to the new students on academic and campus life.
Since its inception, Federal Polytechnic Ayede has recorded remarkable strides in academic excellence, infrastructural development, training and re-training, as well as sports and extracurricular activities.
The management of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, has scheduled the 2024/2025 matriculation ceremony for Thursday, March 27, 2025.
According to a statement by the University Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Siju’ Asunmo, the event will commence at 10:00 a.m. at the University Board of Trustees (BOT) Large Lecture Theatre and will be presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan.
The matriculation lecture will be delivered by Prof. Olatunde O. Fawole, a former Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and former Chairman of the Committee of Provosts and Deans at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.
The university has urged all stakeholders, including Senate members, management staff, deans, directors, heads of departments, service divisions, faculty officers, and students’ representatives, to be seated by 9:30 a.m. prompt for a smooth event.
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