By Precious Oluwole

The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has been conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Public Administration (honoris causa) by Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).

Governor Aiyedatiwa was honoured during the university’s 13th Convocation Ceremony at the Olusegun Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall, on Saturday.

The Governor appreciated the management of the university for the honour, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the growth and success of Adekunle Ajasin University and the development of education in Ondo State.

To the new Honorary Awardees who have just been conferred with an honorary doctorate from Adekunle Ajasin University, I extend my warmest congratulations. I am highly honoured and delighted to be one of you. This prestigious recognition is a testament to our remarkable contributions and outstanding achievements in our various fields”.

He emphasised the importance of education as a powerful tool that contributes meaningfully to society, whether as entrepreneurs, professionals or academics.

He underscored the vital role Adekunle Ajasin University plays in Ondo State’s socio-economic and intellectual development.

The Governor added that the 13th Convocation which coincides with the 25th Anniversary of the University’s establishment is a testament to the strides made by the institution in a relatively short period, not only within Nigeria but also on the global stage.

“Our administration’s vision for higher education in Ondo State is rooted in creating independent, well-funded institutions capable of driving societal change. This includes giving university management the autonomy to run its affairs efficiently; utilising research from our academic institutions to inform policymaking and address critical issues in the State; encouraging partnerships with private and international organisations to broaden the scope of funding and innovation.

“We believe that our universities should not only serve as centres of learning but also as hubs for solutions that drive progress and development in society.

“As a responsible government, we prioritise the education of our people because we firmly believe that no country can develop beyond the quality of its education sector. We have placed education on a shining path that has significantly enhanced teaching and learning activities across all levels of education from basic and secondary schools to tertiary institutions.

He commended Vice Chancellor of the university and his management team for their tireless efforts in upholding the vision and mission of the university’s founding fathers.

While Congratulating the graduands, Governor Aiyedatiwa urged them to uphold the values instilled in them during their time in the university. “Let your actions reflect the training and principles you have received from Adekunle Ajasin University, remain connected to your alma mater. Give back when the opportunity arises, as your contributions will ensure that future generations enjoy the same opportunities you have had”.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of AAUA, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, lauded Governor Aiyedatiwa’s visionary leadership, describing him as a statesman committed to advancing the socio-economic wellbeing of the state. Prof. Ige highlighted the academic achievements of the institution, stating:

“At this 13th Convocation, we are proud to present a total of 6,837 graduands from the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions. This number includes 657 postgraduate students, among whom 46 have earned their Ph.D. degrees. Among the 6,182 undergraduate graduands, 62 achieved First Class Honours, a testament to the academic excellence upheld by this institution”

“Additionally, 1,941 earned Second Class Honours (Upper Division), 3,486 attained Second Class Honours (Lower Division), 684 graduated with Third Class Honours, and 8 fall into the Pass category.”

Prof. Ige further emphasized that the honorary doctorate conferred on Governor Aiyedatiwa reflects the university’s acknowledgment of his transformative impact on education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment in Ondo State.

In his welcome address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, congratulated the graduands for their dedication and hard work, emphasizing AAUA’s reputation as the Best State University in Nigeria and one of the top 10 universities in the country.

Dr. Abayomi also lauded Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership, congratulating him on his recent electoral victory and calling for greater support from stakeholders to elevate AAUA to global standards.

The governor had earlier performed the groundbreaking and foundation-laying ceremony for a new hall of residence. The Vice-Chancellor noted that the university had observed that 95% of its student population resides off-campus, which poses certain security challenges.

As a result, the institution decided it would be prudent to encourage students to begin residing on campus. The new hall of residence will have a capacity of 250 beds.

Others conferred with honorary degrees were; Hon Adegboyega Adeyemi Adefarati, member representing akoko south east/south west in federal House of Representatives and Mr Hazmat Ayodele Subair.