Ambode, Babalakin charge private sector, individuals to assist govt

The need for the private sector and wealthy individuals to assist governments to develop the education sector was once again brought to the fore last week Thursday as philanthropist and chairman of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola, donated  a 500-seater ultramodern lecture theatre to the Lagos  State University, Ojo, to commemorate his 70th birthday.

Speaking at the inauguration of the lecture theatre, Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, called on the private sector, corporate organisations and individuals to join hands with government to move the sector forward.

Among dignitaries at the event were the pro-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Dr. Wale Babalakin; chairman of Honeywell Group, Mr. Oba Otudeko and Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

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Ambode thanked Mr. Makanjuola for building such an exceptional edifice, adding that government needs more of such kind of gesture from individuals and corporate organisations to address infrastructure deficit in the education sector.

Ambode noted that while it is true that education is the bedrock for national development, running a qualitative educational system is capital-intensive.

“Whatever we need to do in terms of endowment, we need to start thinking about legacies that we will leave behind for posterity,” he noted.

The donor and chairman, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola, said his desire to give back to the society, especially LASU, grew out of his involvement with the institution, having been part of its governing council since the late 80s.

“I believe if we have good environment for education, students will excel. I felt that I should do something because when you help people, you are helping yourself,” he said.

In his opening prayer, the Chief Missioner, Ansa-Ru Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Abdulraham, commended the business tycoon for his generosity, describing him as “a man of means who places posterity above prosperity.”

In his remarks, the vice chancellor of      LASU, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, thanked the state government for giving the university a face-lift; and described Makanjuola as “a benefactor and hero.”

“Today, the 500-seater lecture theatre is standing tall, and it has changed the landscape of LASU. The name Remi Makanjuola has now become part of the legacy of LASU,” he enthused.

The pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council, Professor Adebayo Ninalowo, also described the Caverton boss as a distinguished Nigerian.

“I respect this man for his simplicity. He is a generous man whose generosity cuts across, and I am not surprised that LASU benefitted from his kind gesture. This is not the first lecture theatre he will be donating. He donated one in Minna early this year; he donated one at the Summit University in Offa, Kwara State in memory of his late mother. This is the third one. We are indeed grateful,” he said.

Dr Babalakin, the chairman of Bi-Courtney Group, in his brief remarks also canvassed “more funds for higher institutions,” saying it is a self-protective policy to spend more on education.

He said, “If we fail to develop our universities, we will face the consequence in the future. So, we must meaningfully invest in Nigerian education for the sake of posterity.”

In his commemoration lecture entitled ‘Town and Gown: Giving in the Age of Scarcity’, the guest lecturer, Professor Akin Oyebode, called on university management to seek other means of generating funds outside government to run their institutions.

“Governments cannot do it alone. We are not in universities to make money; we are in to improve the stock of human capital. So, we need more funds in our universities,” Oyebode said.

He also noted that people like Makanjuola are rare.

“He is not a politician. He does not want a vote from us; but he simply built this lecture theatre to add value to LASU and humanity at large. The rich should take a cue from him to build facilities for our higher institutions,” he said.