The Ooni of Ile-Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR Ojaja II, has appointed a renowned scholar, Prof. Lere Baale, as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, and a frontline Engineer in Nigeria, Engr. Yusuf Olanrewaju Sagaya, OFR, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Ojaja University.
In a landmark ceremony held at the Ile Oodua Palace, Ile-Ife, on Monday (September 2, 2024), the Ooni officially inaugurated the Governing Council and Board of Trustees for Ojaja University, his privately owned institution located at Eiyenkorin in Ilorin, Kwara State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Media & Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare and made available to The Highprofile.
With this significant opening of a new era for the institution, Ooni Ogunwusi’s vision for Ojaja University as a beacon of educational excellence and human development takes a major step forward.
Addressing the gathering largely made of academic and professional scholars as well as traditional rulers, Ooni Ogunwusi described the Ojaja University project as an idea birthed by his love for education, human development and capacity building for the country.
“Founded by a patriotic Nigerian from the South South, Engr. Morgan F. Akpan, I became a part of this project which used to be Crownhill University a year after I was inducted as Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka. We pushed through many challenges which unveiled the capital intensiveness of the university business, so I took it upon myself to ensure that the structure does not collapse and innocent students and staff members do not suffer.
“Like in other parts of the world, the Ojaja University project is that of legacy and not for money-making. We are here to create a structure that will make us to produce valuable innovators who will not only be academically and morally sound but also globally great innovators.” The Ooni said.
In his opening address, the Vice Chancellor of Ojaja university, Prof. Jeleel Ojuade explained that the inauguration of the university’s Council and Board of Trustees has provided a reliable structure for the actualization of the university’s goals and objectives.
“Undoubtedly, the individuals who have been appointed to the Board of Trustees and Governing Council are luminaries in their own rights as they are distinguished by their formidable careers and dedicated to excellence in various fields. This your appointment to these pivotal roles is not a reflection of your individual accomplishments but also to the immense trust that the Ooni of Ife, and indeed the entire university community, have in your ability to steer this institution towards its lofty goals.” The Vice Chancellor said.
In his acceptance speech, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council, Prof. Lere Baale pledged his readiness to add value to the university, explaining that the school will be structured to solve societal problems and offer innovative solutions to national issues.
“By the grace of God Almighty, we shall celebrate innovations through our students and graduates in coming years, we will uphold values and basis upon which the university educations stands as solution to societal problems. I thank the Ooni of Ife and the entire Ojaja University for finding me worthy of this appointment.” Prof. Baale said.
Other members of the university’s Governing Council are; the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jeleel Ojuade, Chief (Mrs.) Ronke Adeyemi, Dr. Lanre Shittu MD, Alhaji Ibrahim Indimi, Prof. Folakemi Omojasola, Prof. Azizat Omotoyosi, Mallam Usman Tuggar, Bar. AbdulQudus Adesina Orire, the school Registrar, representative of the National University Commission, Nominees of the Senate of the university, and representative of the Kwara State Ministry of Education.
Similarly in his acceptance speech, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Engr. Yusuf Olanrewaju Sagaya, OFR, who described Ilorin as a city of universities, promised to lead in the mandate to make Ojaja University the best in town and Nigeria at large.
”I profoundly appreciate this beautiful nomination by the Ooni of Ife, to serve as Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Ojaja University. By the grace of Almighty Allah, we shall together take this university to a great height.” Engr. Sagaya said.
Engr. Sagaya was inaugurated alongside legal luminary Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Bar. Lanre Alli, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chief (Mrs.) Toluwalope Ighodalo, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin Aroyinkeye 1, Orangun of Oke-Ila, the CEO of the Axxess Group, Dallas, Texas, USA, Mr. John Olajide, Sen Gbemisola Saraki, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adekunle Asamu Oyeyemi, PhD, Oloba of Oba-Ile, Princess Felicia Oluwapemi Adereti and Lady Ada Chukwudozie.
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