The association made the donation on Wednesday, during the 16th convocation ceremonies and Alumni Lecture held at the Folorunsho Alakija Law Faculty of the University.

The activities were lined up to celebrate the university’s academic achievements and strides made in nurturing excellence among its students.

According to the president of the alumni association, Mr. Busoye Ogunlade, they have been supporting the university with various donations.

The alumni executives also awarded some selected staff of the institution for their long-serving, dedication to the university.

Ogunlade recalled that the executives, under his leadership, purchased a set of computers for the transcripts department, to ease collection of transcripts for old students, within and outside the country.

Ogunlade, who also chairs the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency, OYSROMA, promised that the association would continue to make contributions to the development of the university.

He said the alumni website, to be launched in December 2024, would avail old students, both at home and in the Diaspora, the opportunity to bond, towards achieving a greater goal as a body.

Ogunlade, while handing over the bus to the Vice-Chancellor, said that the school authorities alone could not provide all the needs of the institution, urging all old students to endeavour to contribute to the development of their alma mater.

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He noted that “to meet the increasing demand for quality education, the university urgently requires the support of its old students, to enhance the infrastructure on its campuses.”

Ogunlade prayed that the university keeps expanding in larger strides as well as every graduate of the school.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Professor Timothy Adebayo, expressed gratitude to the Ajayi Crowther University Alumni for its contribution to the university’s development.

The vice-chancellor affirmed that the association had been a worthy partner in progress since he assumed office a few years ago.

He equally recalled that the association had made several donations towards the university.

His words: “We are grateful to the university’s alumni for purchasing this bus. It is timely and we appreciate it.”

While explaining the numerous feats of the university in the last year, the VC said the institution had signed many pacts with various bodies and institutions which had aided academic developments, stability, accreditation, and expansion of frontiers.

In the delegation of the old students was the National Secretary, Yemisi Peters, among others.

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He is very caring and considerate, understanding and upright, nice and noble, sensitive and sensible, emphatic and sympathetic, lively and loving, respectful and resourceful, just as he is compassionate and companionable. With him, you are assured of wisecracks, profound thoughts, spiritually ennobling insights, sublime statements and words of wisdom.

Ajayi Crowther University’s (ACU), Vice Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Abiodun Adebayo, whose birthday is today; is one leader you will always want to associate with, given his service to God and humanity with humility. You will always feel the ambience associated with his presence as he waxes eloquently in words. Indeed; meeting him, you will be struck by the force of a gentle soul with a mental magnitude that belies gentility.

In my career, Prof. Adebayo will forever be remembered for providing a huge endorsement that gave me a major boost. We never knew each other until he called me on phone as the Vice Chancellor of ACU, urging me to come and spend one year with him on sabbatical, saying he has been reading my write-ups in many newspapers over the past 10 years. He declared that I write well and intelligently. Although I didn’t complete the sabbatical before I was recalled (a story for another day), the short time I spent with him in ACU was not only memorable but historic.

Ajayi Crowther University’s (ACU), Vice Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Abiodun Adebayo, whose birthday is today; is one leader you will always want to associate with, given his service to God and humanity with humility.

Prof. Adebayo, a picture of imperturbability, has tremendous gifts of shining a radiant light onto unrecognized paths and projects. Clearly, the incandescent spirit of his intellectual creativity has added depth and breadth to uncharted territories and terrains at the faith-based University which is raising Godly intellectuals. I will come back to highlight some instances of his achievements shortly.

Prof. Adebayo as the ACU VC is blessed with an uncommon ability to coordinate factors and means to produce results without taking anyone for granted. He was the Deputy Vice Chancellor at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) before he was appointed the Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University in 2020. He made a success of his stint at LAUTECH which is now a major advantage for him in ACU.

Since he took over as the Chief Executive at ACU in Oyo, Prof. Adebayo who combines amazing technical brilliance with incredible strategic savvy has been able to demonstrate drive, diligence and determination in his remit, resulting in the radical transformation of the beautiful university. As a visible testament to the sagaciousness of his leadership skills, one is compelled to appreciate the rapid and unprecedented physical, spiritual and academic growth ACU has recorded under his watch.

READ ALSO: Saanu: Former UI VCs react to Ajayi Crowther University sabbatical offer

I was invited to the 14th convocation ceremonies of the university held recently in which three state governors; including Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Nyesom Wike of Rivers were decorated with honorary degrees (Honoris Causa). The rapid development of the University, to me, is unbelievably riveting. The welcome Centre building has been completed. The foundations were laid in my presence a few months back. I read through a number of achievements in a short time and I was dazed.

Constantly seeking unbeaten path to tread and unusual course to chart, Prof. Adebayo who has made a leap into a new dimensions of possibility announced that henceforth, students at ACU, “from their first year onwards, would be exposed to both entrepreneurial education and vocational training in 17 different skills including, electrical works and wiring, auto mechanical work, metal works and welding, wood works and carpentry, masonry and block making, creative arts, music recording and sound engineering, computer hardware repair, tailoring, fashion designing, solar energy design and installation, home appliances repairs, poultry farming, cosmetology, catering and confectionery, paint production, and household consumables production. These practical skills serve as fitting complements to their academic knowledge.”

As part of his vision for the university, hear him “Given the resolve of the management to continually widen the spectrum and horizon of the University, we have established the Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) Seed Company. Indisputably, Agriculture and its businesses are matters of high priority to us in this great University. This is because just as agriculture is a mainstay of the nation’s economy, it is also a major sector that ensures life’s sustenance. The importance of food to human life and living cannot be overemphasized, and many plants which gives us food through their seeds. That is why we need to pay particular attention to the production of seeds so that we can achieve steady production of foods in good quality and in the right quality.

“However, fine seeds are rare in that they are not easily accessible and not in the right or needed quantity. Farmers have been grappling with using low quality and impure seeds that portend grave dangers to crop production and food security. Although farmers could procure high quality seeds from agricultural research institutes in Nigeria, these seeds were barely enough to meet the huge needs which can lead to expected significant economic impacts. Throughout the world, the seed business is a multi-million-dollar enterprise which can enhance the economic growth of private individuals, businesses and that of a nation. It is just apt for us in Ajayi Crowther University to venture into it, given our ready affection for agriculture and its various businesses. Our efforts in this direction have yielded positively because right now, the ACU seed company has been incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

“The University is also in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC). As a matter of fact, the National Agricultural Seed Council has given official recognition to ACU Seed Company by registering the company, giving it technical approval to operate in recognition of its huge potential to deliver on providing high quality seeds to farmers. This is a hard-fought victory, and we are grateful to God for the eventual accomplishment which happened within a very short period of time. Management is very hopeful that in the near future, the company will generate huge revenue for the University.”

Prof. Abiodun is a leader with boundless energy and unbridled passion. Matter of factly speaking, he remains dutiful and dedicated to his task with uncommon zeal and zest. He is morally sound and highly hospitable. I have been a recipient of his generosity in a number of ways. With him, you will certainly feel the imprimatur of his positive vibes as well as the scent of his smiles. His signature smile is ever sparkling!

As he marks his birth anniversary today, one can only pray that God gives him greater grace for greater glories in the years ahead. A happy birthday, Sir.

Assisted by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Olumuyiwa Popoola, Registrar, Dr. Jadesola Babatola, University Bursar, Mr. Ayodele John Olusanwo, University Librarian, Dr. Mrs Beatrice A. Fabunmi, Prof. Adebayo is indeed taking ACU to greater heights. He is a team player who is meticulous and methodical. He stands for whatever that is noble and honorable.

He has risen from a humble background, under quite limited circumstances to become highly renowned and privileged. He is such an endowed personage with an imbued power of intuition. Clearly, he is a rare embodiment of courage, charisma and credibility.

As he marks his birth anniversary today, one can only pray that God gives him greater grace for greater glories in the years ahead. A happy birthday, Sir.

*Saanu (08034073427/sundaysaanu@gmail.com) is with the University of Ibadan

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According to the agriculturist-turned-university administrator, “with abundance of arable land, abundance of rainfall, beautiful forest and vegetation, fauna and flora, animal husbandry among others, what is the relationship between Nigeria and poverty? We only need to be serious in converting all these natural resources into our own advantages.”

Adebayo who spoke while inspecting the agricultural efforts of the university in Oyo, pointed out that part of being serious as a nation desirous of overcoming poverty was to quickly stop the incessant herders-farmers clashes and adopt a modern method of grazing.

He also suggested heavy investment in agriculture, stoppage of importation of food that could be produced locally and to vigorously fight corruption and indiscipline.

“When we encourage our teeming youths to see agriculture as a solution to this ravaging poverty and hunger, when we decide to invest in the value chains of agricultural produce with quality packaging and marketing, we would have succeeded in banishing poverty from our land,” he stressed.

The VC added: “I keep wondering why we are dying of hunger. This is a country where we can feed ourselves producing major crops like beans, rice, sesame, cashew nuts, cassava, cocoa, groundnuts, palm kernels, palm oil, soya beans among others. But we abandoned all these because of oil. Now, oil is fast becoming irrelevant. It is high time we went back to farm.”

Adebayo cited Ajayi Crowther University’s efforts, saying it had started  producing honey for sale apart from the acres of cassava which would soon be due for harvest.

He disclosed that the farm already had a fishery, just as it had marked out some acres, in Ofa Meta campus, where it would plant pineapples.

“Our animal rearing efforts are beautifully looking up,” he added.

The VC advised government and the populace to go back to the land, pointing out that if Nigerians could till the land, the land would smile back with abundance of harvest.

Accompanying the VC was the University’s Bursar, Mr. Samson Olojede.

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In separate statements, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole  (2010-2015), and Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka (2015-2020) described Saanu as well deserving of the offer.

Saanu had, on his Facebook wall on Monday, announced the offer by the university, just as he displayed his excitement and determination to make the best of the opportunity.

“While I sincerely thank the ACU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Abiodun Adebayo for providing the rare privilege and honour, finding me worthy of such an amazing opportunity, I greatly appreciate the UI Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebola Babatunde Ekanola for giving me an executive approval on behalf of Appointment and Promotion Committee. I equally thank all my bosses at different levels for making it possible for me to change environment,” Saanu had enthused.

Few hours after the announcement of the offer, his former bosses, Professor Adewole and Professor Olayinka, were full of praises for him.

Said Adewole: “Saanu, I have always believed you are a talented writer. You write with all the felicities in an elegant manner, dazzling your reader with amazing striking phrases and vocabularies. Once anyone begins to read your article, the reader will be compelled to read it to the last paragraph with the way you mesmerize the reader.

“While I was the UI VC, many people keep asking me wherever I go “who is Sunday Saanu? He writes well”. I am not therefore surprised by the desire of the Ajayi Crowther University to have you on their campus for one year on sabbatical. This is the same sabbatical opportunity some Professors are looking for, and some don’t get it. This is the same opportunity given to you on account of your creativity, resourcefulness and hard work…

“You should continue to do your work with all the passion. Don’t ever listen to the noise in the market place. Forget about those who don’t like you. Not everyone will like you. It is the result that cancels out the blackmail of the traducers. Congratulations S. S. More knowledge and wisdom.”

The immediate past vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Olayinka, also shared the same view in his remarks.

“You have a knack for creating a newsworthy article from nearly every situation. We trust you will continue to display the same diligence, hardwork, passion and perseverance that one has observed in you over the last 15 years or so.

“As I have had cause to confide in you previously, a senior friend of mine who once served as the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, contacted me many years ago on his desire to offer you employment even though he had only known you by reputation. Naturally, I did not encourage him to ‘snatch’ our very good staff.”

“As the saying goes, the gold fish has no hiding place. Continue to excel while we take judicial notice from the side lines. This prophet is not without honour in his home front. A major weakness of some of us is that we recognise talents when we spot one. Best wishes at your temporary place of abode for your sabbatical year. Meanwhile, congratulations SS.”

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