By Rotimi Agboluaje, Ibadan
There has been a torrent of accolades for Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde for immortalising the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, by renaming the state-owned First Technical University, Ibadan after his late predecessor.
The immediate past Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Oyo State, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Niyi Akintola, lauded Makinde for such a step.
Makinde announced the change of the name of the university during his speech at the second convocation ceremony of the institution. Makinde, who is a visitor to the university, also declared that his administration would put in place the Governing Council of the institution before the end of April.
“It is a laudable step. It shows that the governor is magnanimous and broad-minded. I have called him to thank him,” Akintola, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), said.
On his part, Abass-Aleshinloye said: “Heroes don’t die, when they exit their indelible footprints keep their memories alive. That Makinde for the first time in his tenure, openly and officially acknowledged the great achievements of Ajimobi particularly in education, health, security, road, and social infrastructure, is a testimony that a diamond will always be a diamond anytime and anywhere no matter how long it takes people to recognise its value.”
He expressed his profound gratitude to Makinde for the well-deserved honour done to his late leader.
“Ajimobi was an architect of a new order, an erudite leader, a consummate politician who served the pacesetter state with utmost dedication, love and focus to make Oyo State greater than he met it for his eight years of his giant stride. He was a great leader and immortalising his name is a right step in the right direction.”
Source: The Guardian
