The Olubadan of Ibadanland-designate and former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, has observed that the University of Ibadan can maintain its premier status due to its extensive reach, personified by its numerous alumni who have positively impacted society.
Oba Ladoja made this statement while receiving the Principal Officers of the university, led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, who paid him a courtesy visit to formally congratulate him on his designation to the revered throne as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He noted that despite the proliferation of universities in Nigeria, which began with the first generation of federal universities, there is no gainsaying the fact that UI has been making 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 university management that he would do everything within his power 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 university’s management to harness the strengths of other research institutes in Ibadan to facilitate the fulfilment of its mandate and 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.
Speaking earlier, Professor Adebowale had celebrated the monarch as one whose status as a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers lends credence to his intellectual rigour and technical acumen.
The vice-chancellor stated that Oba Ladoja’s ventures into industry, politics, and governance were indicative of his profound understanding of human dynamics and public service.
He said that these attributes position him 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.
The VC 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 His Imperial Majesty 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 assured that the university would remain committed to community development, pledging that it, with its vast intellectual resources, would be at the disposal of the palace for policy advisory services, planning, and the execution of projects for the benefit of the people.
On the Vice-Chancellor’s entourage were all the other Principal Officers, as well as other University functionaries, the Ekefa Iyalode of Ibadanland, a former Registrar of UI and a quintessential University administrator, Chief Moji Ladipo, and a former member of the University’s Governing Council, Dr Gani Adeniran.
