By Ayodele Oni
Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Saturday disclosed that his administration has expended huge investment on education in the last six years.
The Governor who described education as one of the cardinal responsibilities of his administration, added that it is a social debt to the people.
Akeredolu spoke at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa.
This is the first Convocation ceremony since the establishment of the University in 2008.
The Governor, who is a Visitor to the University said his administration at inception was alarmed with the deplorable condition of things in the institution, especially in terms of roads, buildings and other essential facilities connected to a conducive learning environment.
“I am delighted to recall that within our 100 days in office, we facilitated the asphalt overlay of the first phase of the university road network and inaugurated same for use.
“We have also recently approved the construction of a 2.5 kilometre road network for the university which has achieved about 75 percent level of completion.”
Akeredolu stressed that as part of his administration’s intervention, it has released funds for the completion of some major building projects which were abandoned for almost a decade.
Akeredolu specifically lauded former Governor of the State, late Dr. Olusegun Agagu whose special passion, commitment and magnanimity had made the establishment of the university a reality for the benefit of the entire people of Ondo State and the people of the Ondo State Southern Senatorial District in particular.
While congratulating the graduating students and their parents on the occasion, Governor Akeredolu charged the graduands to go out there and project, distil and exhibit the glowing tendencies that they have adopted while in school.
“I expect that by now, you all have the capacity and the emotional intelligence to handle every situation of life.
“There is no doubt in my mind that all of you have the potential to transform our State and indeed our country by putting to use and continuing to develop the training and experiences which you have garnered during your stay in this university.”
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Temi Ologunorisa, explained that a total of 982 graduands from six sets, 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 sessions earned the University’s first degrees.
Out of the total, 26 graduands made First Class, 307 had Second Class Upper Division, 488 made Second Class Lower Division, and 161 in Third Class.
The combined Convocation also witnessed conferment of a Postgraduate Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa) of the University on the Chancellor of the institution and Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, in recognition of his success stories in the global business environment.
, Okitipupa. This is the first Convocation ceremony since the establishment of the University in 2008.){kind=link}