On Saturday, Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde revealed that works will soon begin on Agbowo Shopping Complex, stating that the project remains important to his administration as it is part of its agenda to resuscitate the state’s assets.He, however, charged the management of the University to begin regaining its position as the continent’s intellectual capital by resetting the buttons.“As the Vice Chancellor said, today is not a day for long speeches, I said I will just make maybe one or two points only.
“I congratulate you on the occasion of UI @75, my only message is that this very campus used to be the intellectual capital of the continent, not only of Nigeria.
The ideas incubated here are taken far and wide, and most leaders, especially from the Southern and Eastern parts of Africa, all have one thing or the other to say, one interaction or the other to say about the University of Ibadan.
“So, my charge is that at 75, we want to reset the buttons, we want UI to start the process of regaining that position of becoming once again the intellectual capital of the continent.
“Just as it has been said by the school bursar that I have several of UI products working with me, it is not a happenstance, it was deliberate because, with this campus here, we are supposed to get the benefits of the things that are being incubated here and also the individuals that are making it happen.
“So, what we have done in Oyo State and under this administration is to look at the lions at our backyard and to unleash them in our environment, and so far so good, it has been working very well.
“Whatever we can do as an administration towards making UI the intellectual capital in the continent, I will be your partner.”
He continued: “The project that the Oyo State government is carrying out, which is the junction improvement at UI will be expanded and we would put a pedestrian bridge so that when students are passing, they don’t have to get knocked down again, that would enhance the refurbishment of the Agbowo Shopping Complex.
“It is a life project, it would happen and you will see the contractor on site within a few weeks. I don’t think it would be more than four weeks, but they must get to that site and this time next year, it would be a typically different story.
“I wanted to make that point and also to solicit for the cooperation of the University Community, because when you are carrying out construction activities, it would disrupt the free flow of traffic. But it’s just for a period of time, at the end of that period, it is something that you all would be proud of.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the UI @ 75 anniversary committee, Professor Peter Olapegba, described the governor as a true partner in progress.
He thanked him for being a wonderful host as demonstrated through positive disposition and significant benefaction to the University of Ibadan.
On the governor’s entourage we’re the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo; former speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsura Sunmonu; Commissioners and other political appointees.
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