Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Monday commissioned the newly-completed Adekunle Ajasin University Business School in Akure, the state capital.
Inaugurating the edifice, Akeredolu specifically commended the management of the university for the vision, urging the authorities to make it a world class standard Business School which products would be respected nationally and globally.
He called on philanthropists, relevant stakeholders, corporate organisations and well-to-do citizens to join hands with his administration to expand the frontiers of infrastructural development of institutions in the State.
The epoch-making event was also attended by the State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, members of the State Executive Council, the University’s governing council members, management staff and other workers.
The Governor said the idea of building a business school of a compelling status is highly significant to his administration as a government that is committed to innovation and entrepreneurial growth through the provision of functional education.
He described the Business School as another lofty signpost of his administration’s commitment to the kind of education envisioned to drive economic growth, self-reliance among the people and all-round development in the State.
“I am aware that this Business School will offer specialised and professional courses for entrepreneurship oriented graduates, career persons and corporate organisations through its internal resources and meaningful collaborations with other world-class business schools and institutions around the world.
“In the spirit of the value we place on education as a tool for manpower development, we have made a deliberate effort to strengthen our Quality Assurance strategy in our primary and secondary schools which serve as the foundation for producing upright students to the tertiary institutions in the State.
“We have also made it a policy to focus on the renovation of schools across the length and breadth of the State towards creating the enabling environment for learning.
“Apart from the unique architectural features of the Adekunle Ajasin University Business School, Ondo State can also boast to have owned the 2nd strategically positioned Business School in the whole of Southwest, Nigeria. On this, I commend the university administration for its thoughtfulness.
“More importantly, at this time, we seek support from corporate individuals and organisations towards ensuring that the Adekunle Ajasin University Business School, Akure, is well positioned to deliver on its mandate.
“The State Government has committed so much funds into this structure that is central to the administration of the school and its programmes. However, there is the need to bring up other utility buildings, lodging and relaxation centre within the premises to complement the university’s efforts at excellent service delivery”, Akeredolu stressed.
Also, the Pro-Chancellor of AAUA, Dr. Tunji Abayomi said in the last five years, Governor Akeredolu has committed many resources to modernising the state especially in the area of Infrastructure, banking, transportation, agriculture and education, saying non of this achievement can function well without advanced business knowledge.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, said no doubt, the modern education infrastructure would train and produce personnel for the commercial and corporate sector globally in the twenty-first century and beyond.
“Let me put on record that this special building project was conceived and supervised by the Governing Council under the leadership Dr. Tunji Abayomi.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, construction of this edifice commenced in February 2020, and despite all the obvious challenges of funding, post COVID-19 inflation, among others, we took delivery of the project on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, from the contractor.
“This structure does not only add to the aesthetics and modernity of the state capital, Akure, it also defines the modern AAUA that we are building, a 21st Century University, Properly Called!
“This is a well-ventilated modern structure that comprises 14 lecture halls, 14 office spaces, an ICT hall, a large conference Room, six store rooms, large number of conveniences, and other modern amenities. Not only does this edifice have enough parking and recreation space up front, but also there is quantum of space at the back for future expansion.
“Let me add that this building is wholly-funded through the University’s capital vote, and I would like to say that it is unarguably the most modern, compelling, and most aesthetically pleasing Business School around!
“I am also delighted to inform this gathering that the AAU Business School will not only serve as an academic hub to offer long term Executive Master in Business Administration programmes and short-term Certificate Courses for career persons and corporate organizations, but will also collaborate with other world-class Business Schools and institutions around the world that could provide academic support and meaningful academic exchange in the administration of its prospective courses.
“While we trust that this promising initiative would be renowned as the Second strategically-positioned Business School in the whole of South-West, Nigeria, and also expand the University’s academic programmes towards benefitting corporate individuals and organizations, I want to assure Mr. Governor and this distinguished audience that competent hands would be engaged to maintain this structure and to keep both the external and internal contents in pristine condition at all times.
“Efforts would also be made to ensure a round-the-clock guarantee of the safety and security of the complex.
At this juncture, let me sincerely thank the Visitor to our University and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for providing the fund to execute this project and other support being given to the University. But as Oliver Twist, we still require more funding to fully furnish this edifice,” the Vice Chancellor said.
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