Summit university appoints Rafiu Ebiti as pro-chancellor

To foster continuity in its mission of establishing a citadel of learning that produces strong minds, sound in academics, character and the fear of God, the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria has announced philanthropist and Chairman, lbeji Foundation, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti as Pro-chancellor/ Chairman, Governing Council of Summit University, Offa, Kwara State.

Academia, friends and Islamic clerics associated with the faith-based university had gathered to fashion a new path for the great citadel of knowledge, which recently produced its first sets of graduates.

It was at that meeting that the appointment of a pro-chancellor and Board of Trustees member was made public.
Known for his discipline, dedication and accountability, there was no better person befitting the position than Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, who has left his footprint in management and humanitarianism.

Announcing Ebiti’s appointment, the President, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Dr. Abdul-Rafiu Sanni, disclosed that Ebiti’s appointment was based on merit.

“The Chairman of the Governing Council, Alhaji Abdul-Rafiu Ebiti and your team definitely has daunting assignment to nurture a new university to maturity, global prominence and acceptance is, indeed, an herculean task and requires experience, sacrifice, dedication, focus, integrity, serious mindedness and total cooperation of all members.

“I have no doubt whatsoever that the chairman and his team have what it takes to achieve the mission and vision of the university. I wish to assure you of the total cooperation and understanding of the office of the president and the NGPC/National Executive committee which I am privileged to lead,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, Ebiti pledged to work in line with the ideals for which the university was set up. He stated that the council would work seamlessly with the newly appointed members of the school’s Board of Trustee, headed by Lagos State’s former Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rotimi Oyekan, pledging to create for the school, a legacy the world would be proud of.

Expressing his gratitude to the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Ebiti acknowledged the challenge ahead of him, but maintained that they are not insurmountable.

According to him: “This is a university with many faculties and disciplines; we will look at what is on ground, see how we can improve on it and create new things.

“Fate based universities have their models, and they have their own challenges too. Because sometimes, some of these models may not really be what the society at large wants.

“But then, those models are based on the perceptions, the teachings of the Quran, and the Sunnah of the holy Prophet. It shouldn’t be too difficult to get some of these things done once you can find consensus and good leadership.”

Speaking on the appointment of Ebiti as the school’s Pro-chancellor, the newly appointed Chairman, Board of Trustee, Rotimi Oyekan, also expressed confidence in Ebiti’s capacity to pilot the institution’s affairs.

“The Pro-chancellor is a distinguished businessman, and a committed member of the society. I have no doubts that he will be able to fulfill his tasks. The interface with him is almost seamless and it is very important,” he said.

Speaking more on his decision to make scholarships available for indigent students, Oyekan said the society has a record of sponsoring scholarships through primary, secondary and higher institutions in different parts of Nigeria.

“It is in that spirit that the idea of Summit University was incubated, and prosecuted to the glory of the Almighty Allah. And we believe that the quest to improve access to education for the Muslim child is very important in present day Nigeria. Significantly, we must mention that there is no discrimination in Ansar-Ud-Deen schools.

“It is a school that trains Christians and any other religion you may belong to. The culture is to provide educational opportunity, and bring out the best in students that we have the opportunity in training,” he said.

Also speaking on the appointment of the Pro-chancellor, the school’s Registrar, Mustapha Kadiri expressed optimism in the university moving to greater heights in all ramifications.

“Ebiti has given scholarships to about 25 students, and followed this up by sending experts from his company to provide mentorship to these students,” he said.