Fashola unveils bust of late Chief Sherifat Kola Daisi in Ibadan

Former governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola has described late Chief Mrs Sherifat Agbeke Kola-Daisi (MFR), as a woman whose contribution to nation-building and commitment to the welfare of mankind and the womenfolk are appreciated by all and sundry.

Fashola who spoke as the chairman of the occasion at the Memorial Lecture and Unveiling of the Bust of the diseased at the KolaDaisi University, Ibadan (KDU-I), while reflecting on her names ‘Sherifat’, ‘Agbeke’ ‘Olanbiwonninu’ Kola-Daisi said ‘Sherifat’ means ‘treasure’ which depicted the persons of late Mrs Kola Daisi, as he bemoaned the limitations of English language in giving the suitable meanings of ‘Agbeke’ and ‘Olanbiwonninu.’

He said no one really appreciates how truly the name ‘Agbeke’ reflects the essence and the need to pamper, adore, celebrate and eulogise better than Chief Kola Daisi himself who had always celebrated his wife in life and in death.

The Minister of Works and Housing also portrayed his aunt, Mrs Kola Daisi, as a woman who did not just raise a happy family with her husband, but one who discharged her responsibilities to both her immediate and extended families well.

Fahola, noted that the Maye Iyalode of Ibadanland and Iyasuna of Oyo State as a person of deep faith and dedication to prayers, saying to the very end her faith was unshaken.

“In eight years that I served as a governor, there was never a night that she would not call just to pray for me; such dedication was rare. On the night that we didn’t pray together, it was because I didn’t pick the call,” Fashola said.

He thanked the entire KDU community from the founder, Chief Kola Daisi, the Bashorun of Ibadanland, and vice chancellor Professor Adeniyi Olatubosun for inviting him for the memorial lecture, charging the students of the institution to make the very best of their education in institution.

The guest lecturer, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, the chairman, First Bank Plc, while speaking on the topic of the memorial lecture entitled ‘Life, Faith and Society- Choosing A Path’ said “life is a gift; we don’t get to choose where we are born or the kind of families come from. However, what we make out of the gift of life depends on the choices we make out of the journeys of life. The choices of what we choose to worship, believe and things we commit ourselves to drive how we behave, what we consider important, how we measure and control ourselves, our measure of discipline, commitment to society.”

She averred that Chief Mrs KolaDaisi, lived a life that was invested in; a life of faith, service and seeding to the society in every way and at every point in time through her lifetime, adding “we are here at KolaDaisi University today because of our mother’s seed to the society.”

In his remarks, Chief Daisi stated that he was fortunate to be the husband of the deceased, saying “it was a great favour and mercy that I obtained from God.”

In his welcome address, the pro-chancellor and chairman, council, KDU-I, Professor Adeniyi Osuntogun (OFR) said: “Chief Sherifat Kola-Daisi was the foundation member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the institution. She was the chief architect and facilitator, who stood solidly by her husband on the establishment of the university, even when there was discouragement in the reliability of investing in the educational sector, she believed in the mission and passion of her husband and in the dream that has today become a reality.”

Chief of Staff of the Oyo State government, Mr Bisi Ilaka who represented the Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde as the special guest of honour at the event congratulated the entire family of KolaDaisi and the university community on the success of the programme.

The highpoint of the event was the official unveiling of Bust of Chief Mrs Sherifat Agbeke KolaDaisi at the entrance of the administrative building of the KDU-I by Mr Babatude Raji Fashola in honour of her contribution to the success of the institution during her life.

Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were the His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji and his Chiefs; Obas in Ibadan; chairman, FCMB, Otunba Subomi Balogun; wife of the former governor of Oyo State, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, deputy governor, Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan; pro-chancellor and chairman, council, Lead City university, Jide Owoeye, former UI, VC, Professor Olufemi Onabamiro, and a host of others.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state.