UI Celebrates Elder Statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti @ 97

The University of Ibadan (UI) Alumni Association Celebrates Elder Statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti @ 97. 

It was a gathering that exemplified the symbiotic relationship of Town and Gown as the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Ondo state branch held a Public Service Lecture and Award Ceremony to commemorate the 97th birthday of elder statesman, Chief Dr. Rueben Fasoranti at the Federal University of Technology Akure on Friday, May 12, 2023.

While delivering the lecture titled “Good Governance in Nigeria: Issues and Prospects for National Development, Former Vice Chancellor, of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Professor Femi Mimiko said for Nigeria to fully develop as a nation it must as a matter of urgency stop public trust deficiency in the populace by putting in place policies that will cushion the effects of years of misrule and misgovernance. He said the onus lies on the incoming government to deliberately ensure that Nigerians are deliberately steered in the direction of economic growth and development.

He decried the menace of out-of-school children in Nigeria, stating that this portends doom for a great nation like Nigeria which has a high youth populace. The don called for the establishment of vocational training centers so that skills and trades are taught to the youth to keep them from falling into evil vices.

Professor Mimiko said Leadership is not rocket science and that all it takes is a willingness and sacrifice to build a nation that will benefit all its citizens regardless of tribe and connections. He called for leaders who will be committed to the well-being of all Nigerians and will work assiduously to ensure the proper and efficient working of all the sectors of the economy.

At the event, FUTA Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji was presented the prestigious University of Ibadan Alumni Association  Award of Excellence for her sterling contributions to the education sector in Nigeria and globally. The award was presented to her by the former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr.  Kayode Fayemi congratulated the Vice Chancellor for blazing the trail as the first female Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure. He said her appointment was a testimony of her hard work, dedication to duty, and development of the education sector.

He said it was heartwarming that women are breaking the old biases and achieving great feats in all fields of endeavor and were optimistic that FUTA will break new grounds under her leadership and direction.

Speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the occasion, former Governor of Osun State Chief Bisi Akande, described Chief Fasoranti as the best of the best who served Nigeria selflessly and modestly in the shadows. He described him as a highly disciplined man and a role model to even the foremost politicians in Nigeria.

 He said his life was exemplary and worthy of emulation. He said for men like Chief Fasoranti, service was the essence of leadership and they were sold out to nation-building, good governance, and production. 

Chief Akande said a nation cannot thrive without leaders who are committed to the good of its people. He said for Nigeria to prosper again its leaders must ensure adequate planning and those who will lead must imbibe the virtues of integrity and humility that are evident in the likes of elder statesmen like Chief Fasoranti. 

The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu described Chief Fasoranti as a respected Statesman who had carved a niche in governance through his love for humanity and simplicity, He said the lecture was befitting to honor his legacies and his giant strides on the political landscape of Nigeria. 

The Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba, Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Elder Statesman Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa, former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Veteran Journalist, Chief Dare Babarinsa and other leading lights of the society were also at the event.

MySchoolNews reporting.