The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, has eulogized his predecessor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, for his giant strides in the state’s health sector during his eight years as governor of the state.
Akeredolu gave the commendation while speaking at the first convocation of the Ondo State University of Medical Science (UNIMED), in Ondo city on Friday. The university was established in 2014 by the Mimiko-led administration.
The governor said successes made by his administration in the state’s health sector must be attributed to Mimiko who laid a solid foundation for his government.
Akeredolu who was full of praises for his predecessor said: “The whole of Ondo state will forever be grateful to my predecessor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who thought it wise to begin this (University of Medical Sciences) project in our state, we want to thank you for your vision and passion”
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He said he resisted pressures from various quarters to not continue with the vision of the university’s founding fathers “I chose to come on board to continue this your (Mimiko) excellent legacy because of the uniqueness and whatever achievement we have made in health in Ondo state belongs to you.”
He added: “Government is a continuum and I will continue to do what I believe is right. We will continue to do our very best to support the University of Medical Sciences.”
In his address, UNIMED Vice Chancellor, Prof. Friday Okonofua commended Mimiko’s ingenuity in establishing the university. He said the university decided to honour Mimiko with the Heroes award because the institution cannot award honorary doctorate degrees until it begins its Postgraduate programs.
“Dr Mimiko’s role can never be forgotten for the foresightedness with which he established the University, and for the brazenness with which he appointed me the Vice Chancellor. The fact that I am not from Ondo state also made it very exemplary, which made me to be determined never to disappoint him and the good people of the state. Till date, he continues to provide unique and exemplary support and advice to the University.” the VC added.
Other eminent personalities such as Executive Secretary of the Nigerian University Commission, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed and Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Council of UNIMED, Dr Temitayo Fawehinmi, commended Mimiko for establishing the first University of Medical Sciences, “I will like to acknowledge Dr Mimiko for his vision and courage for establishing the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo – first in Africa” Fawehinmi said.
Responding on behalf of the rest awardees, Mimiko said the institution will continue to enjoy their support as he used the occassion to admonish government to invest massively in education and maintain university autonomy.
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