Ever since it became a full fledged university, Ijesaland has been supporting the University of Ilesa in the quest to transform the tertiary institution into a renowned centre of scholarship.
Another success was achieved yesterday at the sod-turning and foundation-stone-laying ceremony for the construction of the Department of Nursing laboratory, which the Ijesa community is building for the university .
Speaking during the event, The chairman of the trustees of the University of Ilesa Endowment Fund Chief Akinwande Akinola, announced that the laboratory, whose keys will be given to the school administration in eighteen weeks is intended to train nursing students who will be proficient and professional in the long run.
“Permit me to inform this Assembly that this Laboratory project has been designed as a masterpiece for delivery within 18 weeks. It is a fixed sum contract , mutually agreed with the Contractor not to suffer any variation and delivery encumbrance.
Underscoring the goal of efficient project delivery informed the appointment of six erudite Ijesa professionals to oversee the day-to-day construction” .
The chairman, Board of Trustees of the University of Ilesa Endowment Fund who is also the chairman, Ijesa Elders Forum reminisced the vintage position of Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesa in pediatric medicine, expressing the belief that success of the project will herald further interventions in the life of the University such that the collective vision for a World class University of Ilesa will be realized in a record time.
He also informed the management that ijesa Forum would shoulder the construction of a gate house befitting of a world class university for the institution as requested by the VC.
According to him the gate house would be built simultaneously with the Nursing Department laboratory
In his welcome address, the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Taiwo Asaolu who announced the approval of the construction of the university road network by the state government, emphasized the need for public/private partnership to hasten the university’s transformation.
“Public Private Partnership is now an initiative deployed to foster sustainable development because it has become obvious that Government alone cannot attend to all the compelling needs of the society. Therefore, supports from philanthropists, groups, private organizations, communities, development partners, etc really go a long way in ensuring quality education in our academic institutions. We are all direct or indirect beneficiaries of the products of these tertiary institutions and we need to take deep interest in the quality and quantity of the facilities being used to teach and train the students.
I am pleased to mention here that, this University is lucky to have started on a very strong foundation. However, much credit should be given to the Osun State Government, under the visionary leadership of our dear Governor, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke. The University has enjoyed so much support from Mr. Governor and we always use every available opportunity to express our appreciation to the Governor.
May I also inform this gathering that the Governor has recently approved the re-construction of the University road network. We have been contacted by the Ministry of Works that construction work will soon commence on the project”.
He also hinted that the school senate has approved additional thirty two courses to be presented to the National University Commission for accreditation.
“Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the University commenced academic activities last year with 32 programmes. I am happy to inform you all that we have decided to increase our scope of academic programmes. The Senate of the University has approved another set of 32 programmes that will commence by the 2024/2025 academic session”.
Professor Asaolu said in view of the development, the University would require additional resources to actualize its plan to commence these programmes by the 2024/2025 academic session.
“To accomplish this, more office accommodation, more lecture halls, more equipment and more personnel will be needed. Fund will also be needed for the resource verification of the new programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Therefore, like Oliver Twist, we are looking forward for more support from our host communities, i.e. the Ijesa communities and others that could be of assistance to the advancement of our cause and quick accomplishment of our institutional goals”.
Barrister Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, a member of the University of Ilesa endowment fund, thanked the Professor Asaolu-led management team and praised the team for their impressive progress in building the campus’s infrastructure.
Highlights of the event was presentation of mobilization fee and contract agreement to the contractor handling the project by Prince Dr. Gbenga Lufadeju
The epoch event was witnessed by Chief Akin Akinola, Barrister Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, Engineer Oluyemi Oguntominiyi, Prince Dr. Gbenga Lufadeju, Chief Afolabi Igbaroola, Mr Wale Idowu, Professor Adegoke Olanrewaju, Dr Mrs Margaret Omodara, Dr. Anthony Ayo Ayeni and Oba Adedoyin Adelekun.
Credit:/Isaac Haastrup
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