By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Kayode Adebowale on Monday led other principal officers of the institution on a courtesy visit to the Olubadan Designate, Oba Rasidi Ladoja at his Bodija residence.
Speaking during the visit, Adebowale stated that Oba Ladoja’s venture into industry, politics, and governance was indicative of his profound understanding of human dynamics and public service.
He said these attributes positioned the monarch as an embodiment of unique experiences that qualify him to lead Ibadanland on the path of more development, unity, and progress under his wise, knowledgeable, and dynamic leadership.
He reiterated that the University owes its existence to the generosity of the Ibadan people, which depicts the hospitality for which Ibadan is well known.
He assured Oba Ladoja of the university’s steadfast partnership in the development of Ibadanland, pledging that UI will continue to work with the Olubadan’s palace, through collaborations with relevant departments and institutes within the university on initiatives that will preserve and promote the rich culture of the Ibadan people.
He said the University will remained committed to community development, pledging that the university, with its vast intellectual resources would be at the disposal of the palace for policy advisory, planning and execution of projects for the benefit of the people.
In his remark, Oba Ladoja said UI has been able to maintained its premiership because of its wide tentacles personified by its numerous alumni who have positively impacted society.
He noted that despite proliferation of universities in Nigeria, which started with the first generation federal universities, there is no gainsaying the fact that UI has been registering great strides in Nigeria and across the globe thus sustaining its legacy as the first and best university in Nigeria.
Disclosing that he did not have the privilege of attending the University of Ibadan because the Faculty of Technology had not been established in 1966 when he sought admission into a higher institution, the Olubadan designate stated that UI remains the pride of the academia in Nigeria and Ibadanland in particular.
He assured the management of the university that he would do all within his powers to promote the university.
He also restated that the people of Ibadan are proud of UI as a heritage; therefore, the university should always count on their support.
Oba Ladoja stated that Ibadan people have been generous in yielding land for the establishment of institutions of higher learning and research institutes, consequently making Ibadan an intellectual hub in Nigeria.
He urged the management of the university to harness the strength of other research institutes in Ibadan to facilitate the fulfilment of its mandate and for the betterment of the people of Ibadan.
Oba Ladoja expressed warm gratitude to the UI team for the visit and thanked the university for pledging its continued support to the throne of the Olubadan.
