Sir Kesington Adebutu’s legendary contributions at 85

08131800030

The philanthropic gestures of Sir Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu to educational institutions are legendary and are there for all to see.

The illustrious gentleman from Iperu in Ogun State has meaningfully touched lives of the young, the old, men and women whose luck has attracted them to his philanthropy.

His foundation, Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation(KAAF), apart from donating buildings and equipment, particularly to educational institutions in Nigeria, has been used to empower many lucky youth. It is instructive to also reiterate here (because it is already on record) that in his generosity and vision to immortalise his name, Sir Kesington Adebutu heartily donated a state-of-the -art library to the prestigious Crescent University, Abeokuta in 2009, at a time the institution was grappling with the National Universities Commissions (NUC) accreditation. Adebutu desired that the edifice be named after his late unlettered mother.

As a true philanthropist, Sir Kesington Adebutu does not discriminate in his charity. He is openhearted in doing so. To him, humanity is one and not measured from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, idol-worshipping or atheism. His compass of human measurement remains kindness and support to fellow humans irrespective of their background, religion or race. He is kind-hearted and socially responsible. His world view manifests that he abundantly uses his endowed wealth to develop the human capital.

Judge Ajibola, founder and proprietor of Crescent University, Abeokuta was not ungrateful to have written a testimonial on 18th October, 2010 about Sir Adebutu in the following words:

“Some years ago, when Crescent University was in the grip of financial constraint and I had to scout for people to assist and support us financially, I decided to write letters of appeal to many of our affluent friends all over Nigeria. Most unfortunately, the response was terribly poor and indeed very few donated very little.

“Fortuitously, however, it so happened that on the occasion when Kesington was launching his endowed science laboratory at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, he specifically invited me to the occasion. As I sat by him, something kept urging me to request for an endowment to our university too since we were eagerly looking for someone to endow us with a library.

“Finally, I screwed up my courage by placing the proposal before him for the endowment of our library. He agreed to do something unhesitatingly and with alacrity. He then asked me about the rough estimate which I said could cost between N25 million to N27 million. On that day, he was called upon to launch the endowment, he came with a cheque of N27 million with which we have accomplished our mission of building the new library that we are commissioning today.

“This definitely explains why the library we are commissioning now is named after his mother, Late Alhaja Seliat Olasimbo Adebutu.”

Apart from further financial assistance he gave to Crescent University, Sir Adebutu had meritoriously served on the governing council of this academic centre of excellence in Nigeria.In recognition of his laudable achievements in business and education in Nigeria, he was also honoured with a Doctor of Science honoris causa in Business Administration.

It is therefore apposite to say that history of the academic and moral excellence of Crescent University, Abeokuta is not complete without Kesington Adebutu as a complete chapter in philanthropy.

We heartily congratulate Sir Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu on the auspicious occasion of his 85th birthday this month. We wish him more years of grace. Many were called but only few responded.

Katib, writes from Crescent University, Abeokuta. (katibidris@gmail.com/+2348096629914)