Former provost, others task host communities, donors on university development

Immediate past Provost of Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo, Prof. Olukoya Ogen, has advised philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians not to abandon tertiary institutions in their host communities. 

Ogen made the appeal at the weekend during the foundation laying ceremony of a relaxation centre donated for students and staff of Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa. 

He noted that the gesture was the initiative of his team that included Jeremiah Akinsele and one other in the spirit of giving back to their society. 

According to him, government alone must not be expected to perform all the developmental needs of the institution, saying “your widow’s mite will go a long way in taking the university to greater heights.”

He therefore implored all well meaning Nigerians to endeavour to assist institutions located in their various communities in infrastructural development. 

Chairman, OSUSTECH Governing Council, Prof. Akinbo Adesomoju, described the donation as timely, adding that the facility will offer students and staff a befitting place to relax after lectures. 

“I am delighted because Prof Ogen and his team have done something great and monumental. It is one of those things I have been looking forward to since I came into office. Why I am particularly impressed is that without being prompted and despite their meagre resources as salary earners, they decided to go this far and donate towards the upliftment of our university.”

The Chairman noted that the donors are the first set of people to donate to the university apart from the state government and other government agencies. 

Urging staff, alumni and other philanthropists to emulate the selfless gesture, he said: “Gestures we have been getting from our people are what they can benefit from the university and not what they can give to it.”

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Robert Ogunduyile, who appreciated the donors, affirmed that it was a huge encouragement, adding that the relaxation centre is one of the highly important places needed by students.