AAUA VC Receives UI Distinguished Alumni Award

The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, has been honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association.

The Award ceremony was held on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) as part of the 2022 Basorun Seinde Arogbofa/University of Ibadan Alumni Association Ondo Lecture.

According to the Ondo State Branch Chairman of UIAA, Mr Bola Kayode, Esq., the Award ceremony was to recognise the products of the University of Ibadan who are doing well in their chosen career, and to acknowledge their contributions to the society.

In his response, the AAUA VC, an Alumnus of the University of Ibadan, thanked the association for the honour, saying that it would spur him to do more and to continue to fly high the flag of the oldest university in Nigeria.

Prof. Ige called on other awardees and alumni to prove their mettle wherever they found themselves.

Other awardees included the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa; Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; Rector of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Mr. Gani Ogundahunsi; immediate past CAN State Chairman, Rev. Ayo Oladapo; Oba of Agoro-Ijebu, Kabiyesi Adedeji Omisami; and the State Head of Service, Mr. John Adeyemo.

The Guest Lecturer, Gen. Jones Arogbofa, who was represented by Major General Temidayo Olukoju Rtd., spoke on “Insecurity in our Nation: Challenges and Responsibilities of the Elite.”

He blamed the Nigerian elite for the festering sore of insecurity in the country. He said that political elite were in the habit of arming thugs and youths to protect themselves and intimidate the opposition during electioneering, and only for the elite to abandon the armed youths after election.

He said many of the armed youths ended up in nefarious activities like kidnapping and armed robbery to make ends meet after their abandonment by the political godfathers.

Gen, Arogbofa, who was the Chief of Staff to former President Goodluck Jonathan, lamented that it was unfortunate that the same elite class who nurtured the monster of insecurity now want the same eradicated overnight. He called on them to join hands with and financially support the security agencies to stem the tide of insecurity in all its ramifications.

The Awards ceremony was graced by dignitaries from all walks of life, including Principal Officers and staff members from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko. They were: Registrar, Mr. Gbenga Arajulu; Bursar, Mr. Tobi Orina, FCA; University Librarian, Dr. Yemisi Olorunfemi; Dean of Postgraduate School, Prof. Benson Akinnawonu; as well as Deans of Faculty, among others.