March 4, 2024
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has urged universities in the country to learn from Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Ekiti State how universities should be properly run.
Obasanjo, who commended ABUAD for its intimidating academic and scholastic exploits within 15 years of its existence, said the institution had shown a perfect example of a 21st-century university with its global record of academic excellence.
According to a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Tunde Olofintola, the ex-president spoke during a visit to inform the ABUAD’s founder, Chief Afe Babalola of his forthcoming birthday at the institution’s campus in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The ex-president noted that the meteoric rise and global visibility of the institution within the shortest time of its existence was not a fluke but rather the cumulative product of Babalola’s dedication, vision, commitment and determination.
He commended ABUAD staff for keying into Babalola’s vision of establishing a 21st-century university that would teach others how institution towers should be run raising a new generation of leaders.
Obasanjo recalled with nostalgia how Babalola audaciously transformed the University of Lagos to become a model among federal universities in the country as the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.
He said: “I will not forget what he did to Education during my tenure as President by accepting to be Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council of the University of Lagos.
“During his seven-year stint, he made the university become a model among federal universities in this country. His impact on UNILAG remains until today.”
The ex-president described Babalola as a man full of surprises and Midas touch, imploring Nigerians to also learn from Babalola “how he has kept himself active from head to toe even at his age.”
“My being asked to speak here today reminds me of the case of one Baba Ijo (the President of the Men’s Fellowship) who got to a church, and without notice, he was asked to pray.”
He added: “Of course, this took him by surprise, but he summoned the courage to say: “In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. O kan mi ku” (this is a surprise or an ambush). And he sat down.
“But in my own case today, I say in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. I am surprised, but I won’t sit down. If I knew I would be taken by surprise to speak here today, I would have waited for Aare in his office because I came to inform him of my forthcoming birthday (March 5) and to ask for his prayers as someone who is older than I am.”
“But then, Aare Afe Babalola is full of surprises. He is a man who had lived by surprises. His university, Afe Babalola University is a surprise. Since I have known him, he has lived from one surprise to another. He has continued to give me one surprise or another. Since our paths crossed each other, Aare has been one of the few great encounters in my life.”
–agency report
