Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state has called for more support by philanthropists toward the continuous growth and development of education in the state.
Mr Aiyedatiwa made the call on Wednesday while inaugurating the Most Revd. Apostle Matthew Omodayo-Owotuga Memorial Lecture Theatre at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH).
The lecture theatre was donated to the institution by the Owotuga Foundation.
The governor, who was represented by his special adviser on higher education, Dr Olawumi Ilawole, described the project as a significant milestone in the history of the university.
He lauded the children of the late Mr Owotuga: Julius Omodayo-Owotuga and his brother, Felix Omodayo-Owotuga, for deeming it fit to honour their father with such a monumental and lasting legacy project.
The governor urged the leadership of the university and the students to ensure judicious utilisation of the facility for the benefit of posterity.
He expressed regret that the institution had been a victim of politics by the administration that preceded the Akeredolu-Aiyedatiwa government.
“I laud Owotuga Foundation, particularly the children of late Owotuga for honouring and immortalising their father with such a monumental legacy project.
“The project will help OAUSTECH greatly in its academic endeavours,” Mr Aiyedatiwa said.
In his remarks, the pro-chancellor and chairman of the institution’s governing council, Prof. Akinbo Adesomoju, said he was particularly delighted by the donation of the lecture theatre.
Mr Adesomoju, who noted that although many building projects had been donated to the university in the past, admitted that the new lecture theatre surpassed them all.
According to him, no government can fund education alone, adding that OAUSTECH still needs the support of everyone.
He prayed for the children of the late Owotuga for the donation, stressing that despite the fact they were young, they were not spendthrifts, as they so much believed in education as the best legacy to bequeath to humanity.
Earlier in his address of welcome, OAUSTECH’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, described the occasion as very memorable, adding that it was the first lecture theatre to be donated to the university.
“We want more illustrious sons and daughters of the state to come here and donate generously to our university,” he said.
In his remarks, the chairman of the foundation, Most Rev. Apostle Nelson Ogede, stated that the organisation had no doubt that the infrastructure would be of immense value to the university and the state in general.
He expressed the hope that the facility would be maintained by university management and that the students and other stakeholders too would let the legacy endure.
“We especially appreciate the support we received from the governing council, the vice-chancellor, management and the physical planning department of the university,” Mr Ogede.
The occasion was graced by the matriarch of the Owotuga family, Bodunwa Owotuga, family and the foundation’s members, governing council members, other principal officers, political functionaries, staffers and students of OAUSTECH.
(NAN)