Oluwo Lauds Maye Of Ife On Human Capacity Development
THE Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi has commended what he described as the unique human capacity development initiatives of Chief Ramon Adedoyin, the Maye of Ile-ife.
The Oluwo of Iwo, who paid the proprietor of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Ile-ife, a private visit in his Maye Lodge at the institution, said after a tour of the facilities: “Human capacity development makes human development easy and progress possible in any given society.” The Oba said global networking is presently required for any country to develop.
He said: “Once further and continuing training is consistently pursued in any society, specialists produced in various fields of endeavour will have opportunity to take their newly acquired expertise into the institutions where they work, and through these into the general society as a whole.”
He noted that these areas of education, which the rich and wealthy in Africa hardly look into, are the areas Chief Ramon Adedoyin has been an active player since the mid-80s.
Oba Akanbi said he wished Chief Adedoyin were one of his sons in Iwo kingdom, as he would have added great value to the domain.
Praising Chief Adedoyin’s resourceful and enterprising nature, the Oluwo explained that when in the early 80s, most of his mates were looking for white-collar jobs, he resolved early in life to create jobs for people. Hence, he established The Polytechnic, Ile-ife, formerly known as Universal College of Technology.
“Out of sheer determination and doggedness, Chief Adedoyin made a huge success out of that venture,” he said. “And that institution not only provided employment for thousands of Nigerians, it has become one of the fastest growing tertiary institutions in the country, offering various courses in all fields of human endeavour.
“Not done yet, Chief Adedoyin again ventured into hospitality business and established a five-star hotel in Ile-ife. This hotel has some of the best facilities in the hospitality industry in Osun State.”
In the area of community development, the Oluwo said Chief Adedoyin has performed in exemplary manner, and that the Maye of Ife’s monumental donations to charity and other areas requiring his assistance has not only brought succour to most homes, but has also helped to uplift and dignify many people in the society. Thereafter, Oba Akanbi promised to donate a student hostel to the university, as his little contribution to its growth.
Responding, Chief Adedoyin thanked the Oluwo for the honour done him with the visit. He pledged to do all within his powers to help Nigerian youths grow their skills and become better Nigerians now and in the future.
He said: “The best legacy we can bequeath to coming generations of youths is to assist them acquire skills and qualitative education. I, therefore appeal to the Federal Government, especially policy makers in the area of education, to reconsider their decision to make tuition free in public universities. Rather, such universities should be granted autonomy and powers to charge whatever tuition or fee they require to grow. “This would assist them in providing needed infrastructure and equipment that will enable the institutions produce quality and skilled students, who can compete with their peers all over the world.
“Instead of Federal Government’s discriminatory policies, government should treat all 171 universities in the country, whether public or private, equally, as this is the only way to provide a level playing field that will encourage the institutions grow at their pace and become world class institutions.”
In his view, rather than the Federal Government insisting on making federal universities tuition-free, arrangement should be made to pay such tuition on behalf of students to enable the institutions grow.
Chief Adedoyin said this would enable federal universities to pay salaries promptly, as well as provide adequate funds for research, and build new facilities and laboratories that will empower students and teachers to break new grounds.