Makinde Urges Alayande University to Foster Global Research and Innovation
By Adewale Owoade
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has tasked the Vice Chancellor and Council of the Alayande University of Education to strive for excellence and make the institution a global leader in research, innovation, and development.
Makinde made the call during the second Foundation Day celebrations of the university, which held at the University Lecture Theatre, Oyo.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said his administration attached special attention to education and would, therefore, continue to advance the educational landscape in the state.
He said the government would continue to work and collaborate with the university to make it a model for others to emulate.
Gov Makinde emphasised the importance of the university’s role in shaping the future of education in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. He encouraged the university community to work together to achieve this vision.
This charge is in line with Makinde’s commitment to education and development in Oyo State.
He urged the university leadership to continue raising the bar of education and the state government would continue to partner the university to attain global ranking.
Makinde said: ‘’I recognise the challenges that can come with setting a University of this calibre in motion, but I assure you that our government will continue to stand by this Institution, providing necessary support to overcome these challenges and achieve greater heights.
“I want to seize this medium to call on all stakeholders–staff, students, parents and the private sectors to please, work and collaborate with us in our efforts in making this University a model for others to emulate.
‘’As we mark this special occasion, let us not only celebrate the successes of the past two years but also look ahead with renewed determination and optimism to raise the standard of the Institution.
“Let us envision a future where Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo is global leader in educational research, innovation and development. I use this opportunity to challenge the authority of the University to come with policies and frameworks that can help our educational systems at all levels’’.
The state’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, whose message was delivered by the Co-ordinating Director of the ministry, Mrs. Christiana Bolaji, lauded the efforts of the university leadership in putting the institution on the right footing.
In his address, the university’s Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman, Prof. Ayoade Ogunkunle, lauded Governor Makinde’s supports for the institution. Ogunkunle, however, urged Makinde to increase funding for the university.
‘’Your Excellency, I must acknowledge your moral and financial support to the university. You approved the take-off grant of one billion naira for our institution and some of the funds has been released to us. We believe that if the remaining amount can be released, it will further improve the quality of infrastructure and services rendered by our university’’, he said.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, in his address titled: ‘’Building ,Not from Scratch’’, expressed gratitude to God for the strength, and Governor Seyi Makinde for the generational gift of the school and noble responsibility bestowed on him.
Olaniyan also paid glowing tributes to the past leaders of the legacy institutions that metamorphosed into Emmanuel Alayande University of Education.
Commending Makinde’s strides, the vice chancellor stressed the need for more funding for the university to meet its obligations.
The VC said: ‘’Providing university education requires a lot of funding. While we acknowledge the huge investments made by our Visitor, we are like Oliver Twist, asking for more.
“As a newly upgraded institution, there is a need for new structures, additional staff, and improvements to facilities such as the health centre, library, and laboratories.
“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate our Governor and Visitor to the University for the commitment and funding of tertiary institutions in Oyo state,
“Emmanuel Alayande has benefitted immensely from this support. Within the last one year, more than 2.5 billion naira had been used to pay the salary of the workers of the institution.
“In addition to this, the government approved a take-off grant of one billion naira for the institution. A proportion of the take-off grant had been released and had been judiciously used.
“The university inherited the outstanding debts of about 1.8 billion naira incurred by the defunct College of Education. The management had started offsetting some of the debt.
“The State government had also started repaying some of the outstanding salary bill. We are restructuring the financial status of the university by blocking leakages, stopping wastage and utilising a credible and transparency financial procedure’’.
The professor also joined the Pro-chancellor in calling for the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Ogbomoso-Oyo Highway to ensure safety and security of students and staff.
He also reeled out efforts of the university in shoring up its revenue.
Olaniyan said: ‘’In order to increase our IGR, we have restructured all our business ventures to make them profitable. All the businesses of the University are presently being registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
“The process has already started, and we hope to complete the process soonest. The approved name is EAUED Ventures Limited. In addition, The University decided to have a Commercial farm unit.
“Two acres of oil palm was approved to be the pilot scheme for the unit. Two-acre (268) oil palms seedlings had been planted by the Agriculture Education department to kickstart the initiative’’.
He thanked all benefactors of the university.
In his lecture, titled: ‘’Educating Educators for the Future of Education, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Prof. Iyiola Tella, said teachers at all levels must prepare for future education.
The DVC spoke on behalf of the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adesola Ajayi.
He said: ‘’Technology has disrupted virtually every aspect of human lives. We must ensure that our educators are thoroughly educated. We are now in the digital age of learning.
“Teachers need to be ahead of students if they must remain relevant and retain their influence. If we don’t evolve with what is happening, schools will soon become unnecessary.
“Anyone who cannot use technological devices will be done away with. We must embrace continuous education. Whoever who does not upgrade him or herself digitally will become irrelevant’’.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the scholarship awards to to students by the alumni of the legacy institution. Also, an outstanding staff member was given an award.
Present at the programme included Prof. Olusegun Ajiboye, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, principal officers of the university, past provosts, senior academics from other higher institutions, the Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin was represented by Olufemi Fowokanmi; and a host of others.
