The Aare Atunluse of Owo kingdom, Prince Rotimi Ibidapo, has been conferred with a Honorary Doctorate Degree in political science and Management by the Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, with a pledge to more than ever before commit himself to the cause of development in Nigeria and service to humanity.
He was honoured with the award alongside the leader of the house of representavies Hon femi Gbajabiamila and Alhaji Lai mohamed, honourable minister for information and culture recently in Owo during the fouth convocation ceremony of the institution.
As if he was the only awardee, Rotimi Ibidapo the show at the event, as members of Owo community, friends and associates mobilized themselves in thousands to solidarise with him, while Lai mohamed did not show up, but sent a representative Alhaji Jamiu Ekungba
The PRINCE and Hon Femi Gbajabiamila said that they he were made to understand that he was singled out for the award from a long list of worthy and distinguish Nigerians due to the consideration of there leadership testimonies, achievements and contributions to Nigerian democracy and humanity in general, saying that they he would not depart from the path upon which he was honoured.
According to Femi Gbajabiamila, he said “When I set out in life to pursue the path that yielded the testimonies, achievements and modest contributions to democracy, the basis on which this award was given, it was in the conviction that it was a right path to take; I never anticipated that it will bring today’s honour.
In his word, PRINCE Rotimi Ibidapo said “This award is a reminder of the task I set to accomplish in life to positively influence every person I come in contact with and I am wholeheartedly committed to any leadership responsibility. I will not depart from my business of leading the people of Nigeria to greatness, freedom, joy and prosperity”, he said.
Commending the university for setting itself on the path of excellence and recognition, the leader of the house warned that the institution should be wary of the pitfall of generalization, which he said, has become the albatross of private universities in Nigeria, saying that “destructive competition with federal and state universities are absolutely unnecessary”.
In the speach of the speaker house of representavies Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara, he on the role of legislators in nations Building, he gave insight into the functions of the Executive arm of the government, the legislators and the Judiciary and also said: “Private universities have to focus and concentrate their limited resources on specific areas of scholarship. I want to call your attention to that area for excellence.
For private universities to be able to make their marks in foreseeable future, they have to major on something, which must be relevant and while product must make immediate impact wherever they go.
“For instance, seeing that transportation is still a major challenge in this country, there should be a university that will specialize in transport and logistics studies which Civil Engineering department would be the best in road construction.
Prof. Tunji Ibiyemi, the university’s Vice Chancellor, said that the vision of the institution was to be among the best in the world, adding that the graduands should go out and exhibit the knowledge acquired by encouraging themselves to invest their resources in research.
According to him, research must be accorded its rightful place, to reinforce the attainment of Vision 20:20:20.
In his speech, Dr Bode Ayorinde, the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, advised the Federal Government to extend grants meant for infrastructural development in public schools to all private institutions. He defended his opinion and argued that parents of the students in private schools also paid their taxes, saying that they should also enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Ayorinde added that students in the private schools would also contribute immensely to the Gross Domestic Product of the nation after their graduation.
He, therefore, urged well-meaning Nigerians the federal government and Ondo State to address the plight of those plying the one kilometre road leading to the institution, saying the staff and visitors were worried about the bad state of the road.
Sen. Bode Olajumoke, the Chancellor of the institution, encouraged the graduands to be good ambassadors of of the institution and should also strive to reciprocate their parents’ gesture and financial kindness.
In his remark the Rt Hon speaker of the house of representatives Hon Yakubu Dogara promised to use other members of the house of representatives including one of the recipient today Hon femi Gbajabiamila to ensure the road is in place. Rotimi Ibidapo who had started a students centre in the school promised to finish the Building before the end of the year.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Tunji Ibiyemi said that Prince Rotimi Ibidapo and other awardees were chosen for the marks they have made in their different areas, urging them to do more for the benefit of the country.
Five hundred and fourty seven students in seven programmes were graduated by the institution. 38 of the graduands are in First Class, 294 of them are in Second Class Upper Division, 197 of them are in Second Class Lower Division, while 18 of them are in Third Class.and the best graduating student Akinola Akinwunmi speaks on behalf of all the graduating students
Among the dignitaries at the event were the chairman of APC in Ondo State, members house of representatives, refered traditional rulers.
Other are commissioners from the state, some APC States House of Assembly members, some local government council chairmen, ACN leaders from the state, led by the Chairman, DI kekemeke and Hon Abidakun Tayo aka jaja among others.
