Thank you GSM on Senator Abiola Ajimobi First Technical University | Adeniyi Olowofela

 

Governor Seyi Makinde (GSM) made my day by recognizing and immortalizing Senator Abiola Ajimobi at the Technical University.

First Technical University got its license in the year 2012.

As providence would have it, it was put in place when I became the Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology (2015-2019) during the second term of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, I need to set the record straight that Chief Adebayo Adelabu facilitated the first structure of Technical University using his influence at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Professor Oladapo Afolabi and others were instrumental in the initial plan and final commencement of the Technical University. We sought the Vice-Chancellor that will midwife the University of all the Candidates we interviewed, His Excellency Senator Abiola Ajimobi was interested in Professor Ayobami Salami who was at the same time eyeing the Vice-Chancellor ship of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (O.A.U ). After the interview Senator Abiola Ajimobi asked Professor Salami a question “If O.A.U appoints you as the VC would you still take this job, he said No” Ajimobi retorted I am sure that, this boy Ayobami Salami is the candidate that will drive the University, he said I pray that, O.A.U will not grant him the Vice-Chancellor ship position” God Answered Ajimobi’s prayer, Salami lost out in Ife and came for the Technical University VC’s position at Ibadan.

Chief Tunde Afolabi, an oil magnate in the US, and a brother to Professor Oladapo Afolabi was appointed the Chancellor of the University and Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo – Obe ( May his soul rest in peace) as the first Chairman of Governing Council of the University.

The philosophy of Senator Ajimobi was that we need a University, that practical will be 60% and Theory 40% of the curriculum and will be self-sustaining.

Also to have cooperation with an American University, U.S.A. Professor Akande, who was the President of the University then was contacted on this, each Student was supposed to spend two years in Nigeria and two years in the US, with the opportunity to have either the certificate, Tech-U or the American University cooperation still being worked out, at least during my tenure. This he achieved. He said why can’t people get a quality Education at a University in Nigeria, if they can afford the fee, instead of going to South Africa, Ghana among others. This was done for Tech-U.

However, in order for indigent students to have the opportunity, Local Government was directed to sponsor at least 3 students from their Local Government. We thank God that Technical University’s vision has come to stay, through the visionary leadership of Governor Ajimobi and the foundation Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayobami Salami, who is a Commissioner in INEC now.

The commitment of Senator Abiola Ajimobi to the establishment of First Tech-U was second to none. The fact that Governor Makinde deemed it fit, to name it after Ajimobi gives joy to me and numerous supporters of Ajimobi and the family. Thank you Governor Seyi Makinde.

In this spirit of healing the wound and recognizing heroes’ past, I will be delighted, if Governor Makinde can handover, over Ajimobi’s house to the family and the vehicles withdrawn from him during the initial period of his first time in office. It is on record that Omituntun 2.0 is now Koseleri the second.

Once again, thank you GSM. I wish you the best in your second term.

 

Adeniyi Olowofela – Professor of Physics (Solid Earth Geophysics) Former Chairman, Ido Local Government (2011-2014), Former Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Oyo-State (2015-2019) and Commissioner representing Oyo State at the Federal Character Commission, Abuja (2020 till date)