Educationist Arogbofa calls for collective support to strengthen AAUA’s legacy
By Julius Alabi, Akure
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, has been described as an institution that has made significant contributions to manpower development and human-capital building in Nigeria through its academic programmes and staff training initiatives.
The commendation was made yesterday when the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Tomola Obamuyi, visited the statesman and prominent community leader, Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa, at his residence in Akure.
Arogbofa, an educationist and author, commended the university for fulfilling the vision of its founding fathers, particularly that of the first democratically elected Governor of the old Ondo State, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, after whom the institution was named.
The elder statesman also agreed with the Vice Chancellor that public institutions across the world require the support and cooperation of relevant stakeholders to effectively achieve their objectives.
Arogbofa, however, pledged to do his best in sensitising indigenes of Akoko land, both at home and in the diaspora, on the need to immortalise their names and communities through donations of critical infrastructure to the university.
He further assured the university management that he would continue to advocate on its behalf and use every available platform to promote issues concerning the institution.
The elder statesman urged the university management to sustain AAUA’s high rankings and reputation, particularly in producing competent graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to national and global development across various sectors.
Earlier in his address, Obamuyi appealed to Arogbofa to help galvanise philanthropists, organisations and groups from Akoko land to contribute to the physical and infrastructural development of the institution.
The Vice Chancellor said it would be a source of pride if sons and daughters from communities hosting the university could establish buildings and other facilities that would be named after their respective towns, communities or parents.
Obamuyi also urged Arogbofa, who served as Publicity Secretary of the Ondo Provincial Movement that fought for the creation of Ondo State in 1976, to deploy his extensive contacts, influence and goodwill towards mobilising infrastructure support for the university.
Accompanied by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olusegun Akinwumi, and the Registrar, Dr. Olubunmi Babalola, the Vice Chancellor noted that the development of any institution required the collective support of all relevant stakeholders and should not be left solely to government.
Obamuyi appreciated the octogenarian for the positive roles he had played in the development of education in Nigeria, particularly during his years as a teacher and Principal of several frontline schools, as well as his contributions to the development of Ondo State since its creation.
He added that the legacies of Bashorun Arogbofa would continue to live on, particularly through his contributions to education, public service and the development of society.
