The Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Professor Smaranda Olarinde, said despite the economic dwindling facing the nation, the institution has continued to progress notwithstanding the heap of downturns.
She added that the ivory tower in the past year has recorded remarkable growth in education, innovation and societal contributions.
The Vice Chancellor among the listed challenges facing the country specifically regretted deplorable road conditions and even as a critical challenge to both students and staff of the University.
Professor Olarinde spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Monday during the 12th Convocation Ceremony of the Institution.
The VC said: “Aare Afe Babalola has written multiple letters to various Ministers of Works and Housing, Ministers of Transport, the leadership of FERMA, and the Governors of Ekiti state, emphasizing the urgent need for road repairs.
“In January 2022,he proposed that ABUAD through its world – class College of Engineering, repair the road and construct a new bridge, with the Federal Government reimbursing the costs. Regrettably ,there has been no response.
“”I use this opportunity to once again appeal to the Federal Government to address the infrastructural deficits in Ekiti state, particularly the Ado-Ijan road, and all Federal roads, Ekiti remains land locked,motorway- locked, airport – locked,rail- locked,industry- locked,and power- locked, hindering our economic growth and development
The Vice Chancellor while also tasking the Federal Government in addressing the economic hardship said, “The Nigerian economy has faced significant challenges in recent years, and the impact of the naira’s devaluation cannot be overstated.
“The exchange rate has plummeted, with $1 now exchanging for N1,700, €1 for N1,770, and £1 for over N2,100.
“This economic downturn has caused a sharp rise in the cost of living, making it difficult for families to afford education and for institutions to sustain their operations.
“At ABUAD, we are acutely aware of the financial burden this places on our students and their families. While we strive to maintain our standards and provide the best possible education, we call on the government to implement economic reforms that will stabilize the currency and ease the pressure on Nigerian households and educational institutions.”
It was announced at the convocation ceremony , that ABUAD produced 226 first-class students and graduated 1,662 consisting of 1,485 Bachelor’s degree and 177 postgraduate students.
The founder of the institution, Aare Afe Babalola, urged the graduating students to use the tools provided by the university to become leaders of transformational change.
The institution also conferred honorary degrees on the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Damian Dodo; and Pastor Tunde Bakare, in recognition of their immense contributions to Nigeria and humanity.
In their responses, the honorees, represented by the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, praised Afe Babalola and the university’s management for conferring the honorary degrees on them.
Fagbemi highlighted the profound impact ABUAD has had in developing young minds and equipping them with the skills to navigate and transform the world, adding that it is no surprise the institution is rated the best in Africa.
“We are deeply honored to be recognized by an institution that has been rated No. 1 in Africa and one that competes with the best in the world. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the founder, my mentor, for this recognition of our work and life’s journey.
“One cannot help but marvel at the audacity behind the undertaking of ABUAD. This university is a constant reminder of what is possible in this country when men and women of goodwill insist on settling for nothing but the best. Translating a vision of educational excellence into reality is no small feat.
“Education is the bedrock of societal progress. The impact of a university like this—its commitment to developing young minds and equipping them with the tools to navigate and transform the world cannot be overstated,” he said.
In his remark the Ondo State Governor, Hon.,Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa lauded the contributions of ABUAD to the human capital development of the country.
Governor Aiyedatiwa explained that the institution in the last 15 of years of its existence has changed the face of education in the country with its quality education evident in the exploits of its graduates across all sectors of the economy.
Governor Aiyedatiwa commended the commitment of ABUAD founder, Aare Afe Babalola, to the development of the nation’s education sector with the establishment of the institution which he said has made positive impacts with the quality of learning.
He congratulated Prince Fagbemi, Pastor Bakare and Dodo for the honorary awards bestowed on them by ABUAD, noting that their contributions and commitment to the advancement of humanity and the law profession necessitated the recognition.
According to him, “It is exciting to be part of the 12th convocation ceremony and 15th founder’s day celebration of this great institution.
“Let me congratulate this institution for this day and also thank God for the founder that he is alive and in good health to witness this day.
“I want to commend our own Aare Afe Babalola for the huge investment he has put into the building of this great citadel of learning. A huge investment that is driven by vision to offer to the world and humanity a world-class and reformative education of great standard.
“No doubt, this institution has contributed in no small measure to human capital development of this nation by the quality education that it offers to the people.
“Let me congratulate the chairman and other members of the Governing Council and other management team for a job well-done.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa also congratulated the graduates for their academic exploits in the institution, urging them” to go out and make a difference in the society”.
